News / Transport
Rees vows to safeguard ‘vital’ community farm land
Mayor Marvin Rees has promised a community farm next to the M32 will not be bulldozed to make way for a park and ride on the edge of Bristol.
Sims Hill shared harvest site had been earmarked as the only viable option for the project in a report by the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), after 16 alternatives under consideration were ruled out as unsuitable.
But at Bristol City Council’s member forum last week, Rees pledged to safeguard the land.
is needed now More than ever
He said: “We’re not building on that land. That’s vital land.
“If we have a park and ride, it needs to be out by the M4. It doesn’t make sense to bring it so close in.
“Park and ride needs to service the city. We have the lion’s share of the influence over where it goes.
“We have no intention of putting it so close to the city.”
Sims Hill. Image by Google Street View
Bristol’s mayor was responding to a question from Green councillor Stephen Clarke who asked him to rule out “the extremely valuable agricultural land” at Sims Hill for a park and ride.
In a written response: “We want to make sure that a park-and-ride decision for the M32 is based on the best outcome for Bristol’s transport and congestion problems and our clear preference is for a site further north, nearer the M4 junction, than the Sims Hill site.
“In line with this commitment, we recently recognised the nearby Stapleton allotments and holdings in the Bristol Local Plan and designated it as specially protected local green space in recognition of its special importance for food growing and community use.
“Any developments which are inconsistent with this role will not be permitted and the current designation of the land safeguarding it for transport infrastructure will be removed.”
The land in question lies within the South Gloucestershire Council border and is included as part of the cross-border joint spatial plan.
A campaign to save Sims Hill community farm, known as Blue Finger land for its rich agricultural value, was launched last month after its members discovered it may be under threat.
The chair of Sims Hill says she is grateful for the support. Photo courtesy of Sims Hill
The project grows organic vegetable for people in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
Responding to the mayor’s statement this week, Corra Boushel, chair of Sims Hill, was cautiously optimistic.
“As far as we understand it, the mayor has said he doesn’t want this to happen, which we are extremely grateful for, and we believe the support the public have shown has helped make this happen,” she told Bristol24/7.
“However, we are still slightly cautious until a formal alternative plan is presented. So it’s positive, but we are keen to see the new plans made and be clear about the potential locations.”
In a planning document in November, Weca named Sims Hill as the only option for a park-and-ride car park after the other 16 locations under consideration were ruled out.
The aim of a park and ride site will be to mitigate the impacts off new housing that could exacerbate current congestion problems by reducing the number of vehicles entering the city.
Main photo courtesy of Sims Hill
Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Read more: ‘Bristol simply cannot build its way out of our current congestion levels’
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