Climate activists call for ‘oasis’ by Min to be saved
Extinction Rebellion Bath is battling against the redevelopment of a Bath hospital.
The branch of the international movement is supporting the campaign against the destruction of an urban green oasis situated at the back of the Mineral Water Hospital.
The current proposals for the redevelopment of the historic Mineral Water Hospital include the construction of a very large, high extension in the open space at the back of the building.
Extinction Rebellion (XR) Bath has said they think this is wrong because “this will necessitate the felling of two mature trees which harbour huge biodiversity including blackbirds, robins, blue tits, goldfinches, dunnocks, pied wagtails, wood pigeons, collared doves, long tailed tits, jackdaws, magpies, sparrowhawks and the occasional jay.
“In addition to their biodiversity impact, trees in the urban setting have been recognised to be vital for removal of airborne pollutants, regulation of temperature and reduction of stormwater flows.”
In July 2020 Bath and North East Somerset Council declared an ecological emergency in which they stated their intent to “protect our wildlife and habitats.”
XR Bath said: “The consultation process for the development has been opaque, confusing and misleading on multiple levels.
“The voices of the severely impacted neighbouring residents have not been adequately heard the four storey development will have a huge impact on adjacent flats.
“Visual information presented at meetings was misleading in that the most impacted existing flats were removed from the images.
“A physical site meeting, which was unanimously agreed when the matter was last discussed by the planning committee, has been cancelled on the grounds of Covid, even though it is perfectly possible for a visit to be undertaken in a slightly modified, Covid secure manner.”
XR Bath is calling on the decision on the development to at least be deferred until a physical site meeting has taken place.
Dave Searby, a spokesperson for the group, said: “This development is a test case for B&NES’ declaration of an ecological emergency. The warm words are meaningless unless green spaces like this can be preserved.
“B&NES planners’ role is to represent the needs of Bath as a whole, not just to indiscriminately facilitate all development.”