SAVE COURT HOUSE FARM

Lead Petitioner: Mrs Rita Baker

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 withdrawn

Status: submitted to council

Petition

We,the undersigned, wish to stop the sale of Court House Farm.We wish to open discussions with a view to keeping Court House Farm under public ownership. We wish to see Court House Farm preserved for the community, its many visitors and the history of Portishead. Court House Farm could serve our community as an historic site, visitor centre, community farm, education centre, allotments and much more.

Background Information

Court House Farm sits within the Portishead Environs, the most protected area in our town. This Grade II* listed building has stood firm from as early as 1485. Ownership has been claimed by Bristol City Council since 1616. Ownership of this property for the City in the 1600's was intended to assist in the support of civic amenities. Throughout its history it has provided revenue for the City and served its community. With the recent death of Miss Gale, who held a lease for life and whose family has lived in Portishead for over 450 years, the future of Court House Farm and its opportunity to serve its community is in jeopardy. Bristol City Council is in the process of putting our Tudor heritage up for auction in May 2010 in London. North Somerset Council has provided informal views on development potential. Included in the auction will be a large amount of land on Clapton Lane and other small pockets in Portishead. Is it right that Bristol City Council, which receives millions to preserve its heritage, dispose of this most historic site?