It’s another defeat for the Big Picture

This monthly column is written by Julian Owen

City council plans to help Bristolians see the Big Picture were thrown into chaos last night, after the planning inspector overruled a decision giving permission to site the Big Picture in Omnileaze.

The ruling left local residents claiming victory in a long and bitter battle, and is the latest in a series of blows for supporters of people being able to see the Big Picture – 43 sites for the Big Picture have already been rejected.

Opponents had mounted a concerted effort to block the scheme, saturating Omnileaze with posters, pavement graffiti and petitions. Nevertheless, campaigners were at pains to point out that, despite their objections, they fully understood the Big Picture’s importance.

“The Blimey, Look at the Size of Africa! realistic map of the world has had pride of place in our hallway for years,” said local resident, Tom Bell-Drydaly.

“Our children can recite all the uses of St John’s wort by heart, and the jars on our kitchen dresser hold 57 varieties of pulses, so please, don’t be telling me we don’t comprehend the Big Picture. We just don’t want to have to live in its shadow.”

Fellow protester, Fi Seeshus, agreed. “Everyone knows the Big Picture is absolutely vital,” she said as she rolled down her car window outside Omnileaze primary school. “But to be confronted by it when you’re picking up the kids is just too much.”

The Big Picture told Bristol24/7 it was “saddened, but not surprised” by events.

“People pay into charities for my benefit every month, yet pretend not to see me in the street. Last week at Colston Hall there was an awareness-raising concert, World Going to Hell in a Handcart? Not in my Name! Everyone was chanting ‘Wake up to the Big Picture!’

“But when I popped round to see a concert-goer the next morning, she shouted that she couldn’t let me in because she had to load the dishwasher. It’s very confusing.”

The Bristol bid to become European Green Capital promised that residents across the city would be able to see the Big Picture by the end of 2015. Following yesterday’s ruling, there are fears that no one will be able to see it at all.

A council spokesperson told us that, while they remained determined to do everything they could to meet requirements for the Big Picture, the nature of the problem ultimately required action at a governmental level.

When we contacted the government press office, a spokesperson said that, while they were determined to do everything they could to meet requirements for the Big Picture, the nature of the problem ultimately required action at a global level.

We contacted the United Nations press office, and a spokesperson said that, while they were determined to yada yada yada, the nature of the problem ultimately required action at a local level.

When we tried re-contacting local residents, they told us they were out celebrating blocking the site proposal, and promised to call back in the morning.

The Big Picture was last seen banging on the window and your correspondent was pulling down the blinds.

Picture: ChameleonsEye / Shutterstock