Campaigners protest over school plans to fence off playing field
HUNDREDS of people gathered in protest on a Stoke Bishop playing field after it was announced permission had been given to build a controversial fence around the green space.
Campaigners from ‘ We Love Stoke Lodge’ congregated on Stoke Lodge playing fields on Saturday to demand answers as to why Bristol City Council has given Cotham School the go-ahead to erect a twometre-high fence around the much-loved area.
This marks the latest development in a saga which has now been dragging on for eight years.
The group met with MP Darren Jones and ward councillors to make their voices heard after the school announced work would begin on the fence imminently.
A spokesperson for We Love Stoke Lodge said: “It is clear now that we are at a crisis point, and we need to do everything we can to safeguard Stoke Lodge for the use of our community.
“Now the school have been given the go-ahead with the fencing it is more crucial than ever that our message is heard and we get the support of the community. There is a huge opposition to the plans and (the protest) was about making sure that was recognised once again.
“Stoke Lodge is incredibly important both culturally and historically. To erect a two-metre-high fence around its perimeter would constitute not only vandalism of the environment, but vandalism of the area’s heritage.
“Workers could arrive any day to start on the fence and so we are organising as far as we can to try to prevent this horrendous plan from
❝ Stoke Lodge means a huge amount to the community. Not only is it the last open space left in Stoke Bishop, but we know of people who have used the playing fields to recover from a stroke, or to help with symptoms of a mental illness.
Group spokesperson
becoming a reality. Stoke Lodge belongs to us all.”
The group’s spokesperson added: “Stoke Lodge means a huge amount to the community. Not only is it the last open space left in Stoke Bishop, but we know of people who have used the playing fields to recover from a stroke, or to help with the symptoms of a mental illness.
“One woman who is visually impaired uses it almost every day as her safe route to the shops – she would not only be devastated if that sense of security was taken from her but practically it would be very difficult too. The school appears to have given these people little or no thought at all.
“On a moral level, we feel that the school have neglected their respon- sibilities as set out in the terms of their lease, part of which dictated that the space would be open to the community. It is vital that this is upheld.”
Work is soon to begin on what the school has called the first phase of improvements to the playing fields, including the remaking of sports pitches and the erection of the perimeter fence.
Earlier this year, the High Court rejected the first TVG application.
However, in July Ofsted stated it was not mandatory for the safety of pupils, but said every school site should be comprehensively riskassesed.
Cotham School has claimed a risk assessment revealed fencing was necessary to provide adequate security.