Petition update: handed in, meeting requested, works have started

Dear supporters,

Thank you to everyone who has signed. We are overwhelmed by the support, with almost 2,500 signatures now. Andy and I handed in the petition this morning when it stood at just shy of 2,000. Council Leader Cllr Kevin Guy and Executive Director Meg Carter were at the Guildhall reception to meet us. We had a short exchange, and Cllr Guy said the council is looking for a time next Tuesday to meet us with the relevant officers present.

Sadly, the council's contractors have already started work in the park. We are pressing planning enforcement, local councillors, Historic England and others to support our case. We believe there are several grounds for the works to be paused:

• Possible unauthorised works near very old trees.
• Planning permission. The additional lighting may well have needed it in a heritage park.
• Listed status. The cumulative impact of the scheme could put the park's listed status at risk, with possible knock-on effects for future funding.
• Legal authority for the speed humps. We have written to the council asking for an urgent review. The site notice cites section 90A of the Highways Act 1980, which applies only to roads maintained at public expense. Public records suggest the park drive may be a private street. These records are indicative rather than conclusive, so we have asked the council to show the legal basis for the works and to pause construction until it does.
• Oh… and let’s not forget the badger sets… 🙈🦡🦡

How you can help right now

Join us at the park this Sunday, 25 October, at 10am. We would welcome as many people as possible. Meet at the lower entrance of the Botanical Gardens, where you can also see for yourself the damage being caused.

Email your local councillor. We need as many residents as possible raising this with their ward councillor.

You can find contact details here: https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?bcr=1

Grow the petition. Please share it with friends, family and neighbours. Every additional signature strengthens our case.

We hope to see as many of you as possible on Sunday!