Your say / Castle Park
‘There is a democratic deficit in Bristol, particularly with concerns about developments’
I have long been fascinated by Castle Park during my 18 years of living in Bristol. Living locally, it is a privilege to stroll through and take in its natural beauty and history.
Several members of my wife’s family are listed on the plaques on St Peter’s Church, all victims of the Bristol Blitz bombing raids.
Feeling attached to my local area and passionate about its future is why I chose to stand in the 2021 local elections as one of the Liberal Democrat candidates for Central ward in which the park sits.
is needed now More than ever
To gain a better understanding of the issues that effect the park and wider area, I joined the Friends of Castle Park Facebook group and sent an introductory private message to its de-facto leader, Russ Leith. I received a polite but cool reply to that message.
Shortly after joining the group, it came to my attention that a large redevelopment was planned for the site around St Mary Le Port church.
On viewing the plans, I noticed the concept images for the buildings relative to the church tower. It became apparent that the proposed buildings – especially the view from Bristol Bridge – would cover the view of the tower completely.
This was concerning to me and I was interested in seeing what the discussions were being had about this development on the Friends of Castle Park Facebook group.
The proposed St Mary le Port development as seen from Bristol Bridge – image: MEPC
I immediately noticed the discussions on the group were heavily weighted towards favouring the development.
A few of us ventured to mention our concerns on the group. Russ Leith seemed to have made his mind up to back the development very quickly.
In truth, I do not feel he took my concerns, and those of others seriously. His replies to my points were long, patronising and seemed aimed to characterise me as someone who was anti-development by nature.
I presumed the group was yet to formalise its position, since basing an endorsement of such an important development on a Facebook post seemed to myself to be insufficiently and undemocratic. My campaign rolled on and my attention returned to other matters.
The St Mary le Port site is one of the few corners of Castle Park to be built on since the war – image: MEPC
I was confused but not entirely surprised to find out through one of the developers’ presentations that Friends of Castle Park had endorsed the development.
I had assumed that my limited knowledge of the group meant that I had missed the democratic decision-making process for deciding their position on this issue.
It was only some months later when a disaffected member of the group, Joe Banks, made the group aware of the truth; there was no democratic decision-making process.
In Russ Leith’s recent interview in Bristol24/7, he alleged that he was the victim of trolling in the group.
Not having any plans to run for election in Central again I had wondered about letting sleeping dogs lie.
But on reflection I was outraged that he alleged people had trolled him and disappointed that Bristol24/7 published the charge without confirming their validity.
Readers can decide themselves whether trolling took place on the Facebook group, as the comments are still there.
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There is a democratic deficit in this city, particularly with regards to people’s concerns about developments.
I and many others appreciate Russ Leith’s passion and commitment to taking care of the park. But that does not give him the right to speak up on behalf of others without a mandate.
Zachary Barker is a member of Friends of Castle Park and chair of Bristol Liberal Democrats
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- How a man who wants a bright future for Castle Park has been targeted by trolls
- Park life in the heart of Bristol
- ‘The Old City has been abandoned, neglected and unloved for many years’
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