‘Error’ Council sorry over plans to ban alcohol and gatherings at park
CONTROVERSIAL plans to tackle anti-social behaviour at a Bristol park have been pulled from the council’s website.
There was a community backlash last week after Bristol City Council published an online consultation, seeking feedback on a potential new public spaces protection order (PSPO) at St Andrews Park.
It suggested that groups of more than three people could be banned from gathering there at night and early in the morning.
The proposal would also have prohibited people from having or drinking alcohol there, or making “unreasonable” noise.
The Post contacted the authority for further information yesterday morning, shortly after the plans were published, and it has now confirmed that they went public “in error” and has now apologised.
Some neighbours took to social media to criticise the idea, with many arguing it would have an unfair impact on those who enjoy socialising at the park sensibly.
A council spokesperson said: “This consultation was launched in error and without officers seeking input from members of the administration.
“The consultation will now be removed. We apologise for any concern caused in the community.
“The park, like all our city’s open spaces, should be enjoyed by all while ensuring that those living and working around it can continue to do so safely and comfortably, and we will further consider ways to ensure this.”
The consultation will be revisited once further internal engagement has taken place.
The consultation material, which has since been removed, stated that the three-person cap on group gatherings would apply between the hours of 9pm and 8am.
A map accompanying the consultation showed that the restricted area would cover the entire park, which is located in St Andrews about a five-minute walk from Gloucester Road.
The proposed PSPO also asserted: “If any person within the restricted area is deemed by a constable or authorised person to be causing unreasonable levels of noise they will be in breach of this order.
“No person in the restricted area shall consume alcohol or be in possession of any opened or unsealed bottle or container of alcohol.”
There were strongly-worded comments in response, including on a public Facebook group dedicated to the park.
One woman wrote on Thursday : “This is an absolute disgrace! I live close by and regularly use the park as I don’t have a garden.
“Why do people try to ruin something which is so obviously loved and appreciated by so many – selfish is an understatement.”
Another park visitor branded it “unnecessary and outrageously over the top” while a third agreed it was a “sledgehammer to crack a nut”.
Lily Fitzgibbon, Green councillor for Bishopston and Ashley Down, welcomed the removal of the consultation.
She posted online: “I am glad to see that the consultation has been pulled, thanks to everyone who expressed their view.
“There are absolutely noise pollution and litter issues around the park, but a PSPO is not the way to address that.
“I hope that we can now explore other options of supporting residents who live around St Andrews, without punishing people who have relied upon the park as something of a lifeline throughout this pandemic.”
There are already existing PSPOs banning alcohol in several Bristol parks, including Castle Park and College Green.
The orders can be imposed by local authorities to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a specified area, although some campaigners argue that it gives them too much power to make their own laws.
Breaking a PSPO is a criminal offence and, if caught, anyone breaking the rules could be fined.
Usually the sum is £60, rising to £100 if left unpaid for 10 days.
The consultation material did not specify why the PSPO is being considered, but there have been reports of noise complaints at the park previously.