No Tesco at Ashton Gate

Lead Petitioner: Charlie Bolton

Status: new > draft > rejected > accepted > collecting signatures > waiting submission > submitted to council > Pending owner response > closed > withdrawn

Petition

We the undersigned are completely opposed to the building of a new superstore on the site of Ashton Gate Stadium, which we believe will cause major impacts to North Street shops and other traders, increase congestion and traffic, increase air and noise pollution, spoil local amenity and have serious consequences for the local community and we respectfully petition the officers and elected members of Bristol City Council to refuse permission for it

Background Information

This petition has been set up in support of the campaign BERATE (Bedminster residents Against Tescos expansion into Ashton Gate).

BERATE AIMS:

1. To provide a voice for the residents of Greater Bedminster, Southville, & Ashton Gate who are concerned about the impacts of the potential development of a new superstore on the site of Ashton Gate Stadium and who wish to oppose such a development.

2. To articulate the views of those who are concerned about the potential impacts of such a development on local business, the community and the environment in those areas.

3. To intervene at relevant points into the planning process and ensure that the process is open and transparent and that the views of those affected by this development are taken into account during the process.

4. To ensure that the proper assessments are undertaken to identify the impacts of any superstore development on quality of life in these areas, including existing local business, impacts to air quality, carbon emissions, traffic and congestion and reduction in amenity value of Greville Smyth park.

5. To provide a focus for discussions with Bristol City Council on elements of the new development and potentially provide an alternative vision for the site.


The following positions underpin our campaign:

We aim to be open and transparent, and non-political. We recognise that not all residents will oppose this development. We obviously only speak for those who are concerned about it or oppose it.

We recognise the contribution that Bristol City Football Club has made to this community for the last 100 years and we fully support the upgrading of facilities that allow the club to grow at Ashton Gate. We do not oppose development of a new stadium, and support the World Cup Bid, but believe that these should be achieved without severe and long lasting impacts to the quality of life, local business and the environment that will accompany a major superstore development.

We believe that there should be no linkage between the provision of new facilities for the club and the development of a superstore. These are two separate planning issues and our aim is to see that they are dealt with as such.

We believe that a superstore will create long lasting and irreversible damage to a thriving local shopping centre and create traffic and congestion that will reduce air quality, add to climate change, impact on park users and reduce the quality of life for all residents.

What we do want

If the football club leave Ashton Gate, we do not believe that their legacy should be superstore bringing, congestion, closure of local shops, more air pollution, more noise and bigger carbon emissions. This community has hosted and supported the club for 100 years and we believe that the club should leave an alternative legacy, more in keeping with the original use for this site. We propose that the site could provide new sports and play facilities for the community along with new housing. These will increase participation in sport and play, and provide much needed housing in this area.

(Please don't sign it as well as the paper petition.....)