Bournemouth residents say: ‘We’ve lost the cycle track war’ (From Thisisdorset)
When news happens send us your pictures, video and views. Text BE to 80360 or contact us by email
Bournemouth residents say: ‘We’ve lost the cycle track war’
7:00am Wednesday 17th February 2010 in Latest By Stephen Bailey
BATTLE: Residents from the Slades Farm area protesting in 2008 against plans for the cycle track
RESIDENTS fighting plans for a cycling track say they have lost the war.
Bournemouth council has followed an inspector’s recommendation and on Monday rejected campaigners’ application for the site to be given town green status.
Work can now go ahead on the Slades Farm cycle track without any more legal delays.
“I don’t think there’s anywhere else we can go,” said Jean Scovell, the chairman of Ensbury Park Residents Association, who made the application for town green status.
“The inspector recommended it and we can’t appeal the decision.
“I am still glad we fought, because it gave us four years.”
The council said the planning committee’s decision will allow it to secure £440,000 in funding from British Cycling.
Another £310,000 will come from developers through section 106 agreements and £130,000 from council capital spending.
The inspector decided that for the town green application to succeed, people using the land had to be trespassing.
However, she decided they were using it with the permission of the landowner, Bournemouth council.
The council was backed up by sports players, including Springbourne and St Marys football clubs.
The cycle track will be used for racing, but will also be open to the public for recreational use, including skateboarding and jogging.
Cllr Anne Filer, cabinet member for tourism, said: “I’m thrilled the plan for a modern cycling facility, which will benefit all ages and abilities, can now go ahead.”
Chris Turner, executive principal of nearby Glenmoor School and Winton College, said: “This opens up all sorts of possibilities for educational, recreational and leisure use.
“We’re very excited.”
The whole development will include a nearby new play area, café and toilets.
Comments(30)
tt52
says...
7:53pm Tue 16 Feb 10
rainbowkisses
says...
8:14pm Tue 16 Feb 10
SonofKinson
says...
11:50pm Tue 16 Feb 10
.
It is indicated that a cafeteria will be available, yet local shop keepers who are the ones who cater at present for any sports facilities on the fields, will now lose out. Were they consulted, NO. In my investigations they were not.
.
Cllr Filer does not live over this neck of the woods, so of course this will not be concerned with the increase of traffice on an already busy estate with many children going to and from the sports fields.
.
A lot of lies have been said regarding the Town and Village Green matter. Such things as it would rid the area of all sport, which caused a big rift, but no one would put the matter right. Local Cllrs who are also on the Planning Board were not concerned of the open space being built on once again with the Velodrome project. This monstrocity will be an oval shape banked track of 280m in length. The same size has Sir Chris Hoy won his Gold Medals. When local Cllrs cannot support you, and vote for it, what hope do we have as a community.
.
Surveys with the local residents were not carried out as stated, and many did not receive any voting information, and figures produced were a false representation. At meetings no one could stand up and be heard, it was all one sided from the beginning.
.
Likewise, the Town and Village Green application has been one sided, and Mrs Scovell and supporters have not been heard properly. It was just a time waste knowing that the inevitable would happen.
We should appeal against the decision, and stop the build.
The-Bleeding-Obvious
says...
7:22am Wed 17 Feb 10
Peggy Babcock
says...
8:15am Wed 17 Feb 10
MandinVerwood
says...
8:25am Wed 17 Feb 10
Cycling is growing in popularity especially after the last olympics where team GB brought in a lot of the medals. Why not introduce more people to the sport to find the starts of tomorrow.
If sport England want to stump up a lot of the cash - then good - why not take advantage of that - again this is not just for now but for the future generations.
I also read that it is 250-280metres in length - well to me that is smaller than the 400m running track at my childrens school which just about circles one football pitch - havign looked at the field in question then that still leaves space and doesn't encroach on any of the other sport pitches already in use at the park.
tt52
says...
8:34am Wed 17 Feb 10
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote:Sounds good to me
Will be the only place in the town where cyclist have the right of way!
jobsworthwatch
says...
9:03am Wed 17 Feb 10
tt52 wrote:Its time this town had proper cycle tracks that are not 'shared routes' with pedestrians.
The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote: Will be the only place in the town where cyclist have the right of way!Sounds good to me
A 24/7 all year, along the prom should be a priority.
Roginthesouth
says...
9:37am Wed 17 Feb 10
jobsworthwatch wrote:In principle I agree, but with the general practice (and apparent acceptance) of cyclists riding too fast along many pavements, this would be dangerous along the prom in the summer. Some serious action needs to be taken on the minority element before this would be accepted.
tt52 wrote:Its time this town had proper cycle tracks that are not 'shared routes' with pedestrians. A 24/7 all year, along the prom should be a priority.The-Bleeding-Obvious wrote: Will be the only place in the town where cyclist have the right of way!Sounds good to me
As usual the minority spoil it for the majority.
reechwa
says...
10:04am Wed 17 Feb 10
Syd Poumen
says...
10:12am Wed 17 Feb 10
Peggy Babcock wrote:Yes, it's certainly on the right track.
Classic case of NIMBY. This is a step in the right direction to encourage youngsters to get into sport.
On your bikes, NIMBYS!
3231brian
says...
10:14am Wed 17 Feb 10
1. It is a sporting facility which can only be a good thing as it promotes a healthy lifestyle.
2. The council are only putting in £130,000 but will be getting a facility which costs over £800,000. That has to be good business!
tt52
says...
10:22am Wed 17 Feb 10
3231brian wrote:Not when the council is pleading poverty and demanding above inflation increases in council tax.
A lot of people on here complaining about the council using park land and spending money. In my mind they are being a little short-sighted.
1. It is a sporting facility which can only be a good thing as it promotes a healthy lifestyle.
2. The council are only putting in £130,000 but will be getting a facility which costs over £800,000. That has to be good business!
The council should be acting the same as every other person in this country, if you cant afforf it, dont buy it.
It seems that the only people having to tighten their belts these days are the residents of this country, the councils seem to think that there is no resession like the rest of us.
Security words , debt-road, how ironic
Wob
says...
1:53pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Come on, let's get spending the Council Tax payers and Sport England's money on a development that will provide real benefit to the Bournemouth community, and not line lawyer's pockets.
Glashen
says...
2:18pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Wob wrote:I agree applications like this for town green status should make the applicants liable for costs if they fail. It is interesting that some object to the council spending £130,000 out of the capital budget which does not directly affect council tax, but don't seem to see the same problem over the legal fees incurred in dealing with the town green application, which will I think have to come out of the current budget.
This Town Green Application always was completely nonsensical, and the really annoying thing is it obliged the Council to spend £45,000 of Council Tax payer's money on administration and legal fees so the Government Inspector could use that actual word in the Report. I would imagine Inspectors do not use this derisory language so it begs the question "Will the Applicant be repaying the Council Taxpayer's money proving what everyone else knew ? Or are they so self opinionated as not to care?". 18 months unjustified delay for £45,000 is a criminal waste.
Come on, let's get spending the Council Tax payers and Sport England's money on a development that will provide real benefit to the Bournemouth community, and not line lawyer's pockets.
jeebuscripes
says...
3:02pm Wed 17 Feb 10
eyesropen
says...
3:37pm Wed 17 Feb 10
SonofKinson
says...
3:55pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Peggy Babcock wrote:It has nothing to do with Nimbism at all. Residents of Slades Farm did not get a true vote as was lied about at the associated meetings that followed. Nimbism is when the area where the existing cycle track is now, and has suited everyone for many years, vote against a Velodrome. Obviously a number of you are not fully aware of the fields of Slades Farm. Yes on a map it looks big, but remember a large portion of this is taken up by Glenmoor and Winton Boys Schools. Some is still owned by Talbot Village as paddocks. In reality, Slades Farm is not much bigger than Winton Rec. It is obvious that many of you are more than happy to say go ahead, because you now know that this monstrocity will now not be built in your area. Another matter also, many of you say it will be good for the community. So far there has been no proof that this venue will be used by anyone other than the Black Arrows Cycling Club, this is why it is designed as a 280m, 15 degree banked track. How are young children going to learn on this. Local shops have until now no idea that catering will be provided, thus they lose out on revenue from sales. No one in real terms has looked at this, and have just gone along with the fact that most of the money will be gained from other sources. However, the Council still have to cough up, and in the present financial and arrears situation, is it a good idea, and with a near 5% rise in Council Tax.
Classic case of NIMBY. This is a step in the right direction to encourage youngsters to get into sport.
.
To the lot of you. ON YOUR BIKES AND FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE
eyesropen
says...
5:11pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Cycle tracks have a flat area at the bottom quite suitable for teaching children to ride.
I know slades farm very well indeed and the public area is much bigger than winton rec. I don't hear the football clubs complaining, and they are the main users of slades farm other than dog walkers.
I take it you're also complaining about the Council also spending (very much more)money on the IMAX? Or is it just things you personally don't want that you object to money being spent on?
SonofKinson
says...
5:30pm Wed 17 Feb 10
Avengerboy
says...
6:57pm Wed 17 Feb 10
astorey
says...
9:11pm Wed 17 Feb 10
SonofKinson
says...
11:17pm Wed 17 Feb 10
astorey wrote:So what is one word. Perhaps you may call me racialist next. I am not attacking others, but it does appear that most do not know about the facts regarding how the project came about. Of course yourself coming from Creekmoor would do I suppose. Ironically, having looked at the Bournemouth Arrow (Not Black) Cycling Club website. Not a lot appears to be mentioned regarding the same. Then again they do use Calshot quite a lot.
SonofKinson. I find it pretty ironic that you are attacking others on here for "not being aware of the facts". If you cannot even quote the name of the cycling club correctly, how can others be sure of all the other drivel that you write! I suggest that you turn up to the opening night of the track and see the enjoyment it will bring to a very wide age range 7 - 70yrs of local people, some of which may even represent their country. Something a little more positive than you are responsible for!
.
As I have said before it amazes me how many mediums and glass ball holders visit this forum, who claim to know so much about everyone else, making accusations, yet only perform the same themselves.
.
I shall be there on the proposed opening night if it ever comes, will you. Be assured I am positive about a lot of things, and a lot I am responsible for. Again you are looking in your glass ball.
.
What you fail to realise is, and had you read all my comments on this matter from the outset, you will find I am not against the project in itself, only the location of it. When the project was first thought of it was offered at various locations, but the Cllrs of the ward, and the locals refused to have it in their back yards. However, in this ward, we did not get a true vote on the project because the information was not disseminated to all concerned or in the locality. At the same time our Ward Cllrs voted for it, because unlike others, they do not live within the ward, so it does not matter to them.
.
I know the facts, and I have it all. Do you.
nodder1
says...
7:51am Thu 18 Feb 10
we dont need to call you anything S.O.K. youre ignorance about cycling facilities in the area is obvious, and this comment reveals an intelligence of a sub-gcse level anyway.
mikey2gorgeous
says...
9:50am Thu 18 Feb 10
.
Look around you. We live in a large town with many and varied facilities. I'm sure a lot of the people living next to the Littledown centre may not use it but it has to go somewhere.
.
'Residents of Slades Farm did not get a true vote'?
.
We ALL get to vote when the council elections come around. Just because this doesn't suit YOUR interests doesn't mean the process isn't democratic. If you feel so strongly why don't you stand for election? And who said this was a matter for ONLY the 'residents of slades farm'?
SonofKinson
says...
11:46am Thu 18 Feb 10
mikey2gorgeous wrote:Such a large project as a Velodrome would be more suited in such a place as Kings Park which has been the Central Open Sports area for many years, not on an estate, which does and will not have the infrastructure to support.
@SonofKinson 'I am not against the project in itself, only the location of it.'
.
Look around you. We live in a large town with many and varied facilities. I'm sure a lot of the people living next to the Littledown centre may not use it but it has to go somewhere.
.
'Residents of Slades Farm did not get a true vote'?
.
We ALL get to vote when the council elections come around. Just because this doesn't suit YOUR interests doesn't mean the process isn't democratic. If you feel so strongly why don't you stand for election? And who said this was a matter for ONLY the 'residents of slades farm'?
.
Regarding the vote. This vote had nothing to do with voting for who gets in power, but a spirious paper vote that was supposedly given to all residents in the Wallisdown and Winton West Ward, which includes Slades Farm. This was not so, and much proof has been gained to prove this, because from the outset, the then Leisure boss was adamant that it would go through, and no Resident, Councillor, or otherwise was going to stop it.
.
It is alright shouting from other areas, but one has to have attended the meetings, read the reports, listen to other local residents to ascertain the truth, and what really did happen.
SonofKinson
says...
11:51am Thu 18 Feb 10
nodder1 wrote:Idiot. I would say that you are the one with the ignorance of sliding away from the true matter of the story, to pick fault on one word, which I did admit to the error, regardless of how it was put. With regards to my education, I cannot see what matter it is of yours as to what my qualifications are. I would say you are the one with the ignorance when you have to resort to such comments because you cannot find a more substantiated reply to the comment. Sadly, you are right, my Degree, A Levels, and umpteen GCSE/O Levels, and many other forms of education did not include cycling facilities. But then again, as I have said before, I am not against the actual project, just its location. Now do you understand.
"So what is one word. Perhaps you may call me racialist next."
we dont need to call you anything S.O.K. youre ignorance about cycling facilities in the area is obvious, and this comment reveals an intelligence of a sub-gcse level anyway.
nodder1
says...
6:51am Fri 19 Feb 10
SonofKinson
says...
4:04pm Sun 21 Feb 10
Aviewoneverything says...
7:30pm Tue 16 Feb 10
Sec. word...poor-game...h
a ha ha.