Here you will find all the information we have about the Fairfield school development, specifically on the potential impact to the Purdown open space.
About the plans and their impact
What are the current proposals?What are the alternatives to the current proposal?
How would proposals affect Purdown if carried out?
How have these proposals come about?
Who's who in the Fairfield School Move.
Additional information
Current Proposals
The LEA wish to put three playing fields (14,000m2) on Purdown to augment the existing fields available to the school on the site of the old Boiling wells pitches. Click here to see a summary of the plans.
Alternatives to the Plans
Fairfield school will have 18,000m2 at Boiling Wells, which will provide upto 96.7% of all scheduled P.E. classes. The LEA, in conjunction with the Parks department, have identified a range of alternatives to using Purdown for the additional statuatory requirment. Although a detailed analysis of cost, usage, required bussing, etc. has been carried out they have not been given serious consideration in Cabinet. A number of potential alternative configurations are presented here:
- Boiling Wells + upgraded Bonnington Walk, Lockleaze
- Boiling Wells + an upgraded Dings RFC
- Boiling Wells + Civil Service Grounds, Muller Road *TBD*
- Boiling Wells + rennovated Muller Road Recreational Ground, Muller Road *TBD*
Note: All three options include the use of 18,000m of existing Thomas More/ playing fields.
The children of Fairfield School need their playing fields. What the LEA's comparative report shows is that Purdown is not the best option in terms of sports facility for the school.
Affect on Purdown
What we know so far is presented in the second flyer.
Briefly, three playing fields, an access road off Lindsay Road, the levelling of the land by digging in up tp two metres, the destruction of the meadow, the enclosure of the land behind fences and the denial of access to the land by the community - without school invitation.
LEA question and answer session
Click here for Peter Crowe's responses to our Purdown questions which we put to him at a meeting of Stottbury Road Resident's Association on June 17th.
How have these proposals come about?
Originally the proposal involved a straight swap as St. Thomas More moved to south Glos. and Fairfield moved onto the vacated site. However, due to the need to accomodate additional pupils from the Lockleaze school closure and the fact that South Glos. Council have not come up with a site for Thomas More, the plans have changed. Click here to see the LEA's consultation document.
The LEA have to provide a set amount of playing fields depending on the size of the school. The existing Thomfas More site doesn't offer enough space.
Who's who
updated 23/6/03| Who | Title | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Abraham | Executive Member for the Education Committee | A conservative councillor, newly selected. He probably doesnt know much about the Purdown issue at this stage. He will be a critical decision maker in the review process, and has 'a personal interest in education'. The executive member has the power of veto but will be probably approve any proposals put before him, unless some exceptional circumstances present. He's been described by someone who knows him as a 'decent, reasonable fellow'... we hope this proves to be true. |
| John Drew | Principal Project Coordinator | Has the unenviable task of bringing the school move together, including ratification of the design proposal. He is the 'public face' of the LEA's plans for Fairfield and is quite approachable. As Project Mgr has to balance the needs of all parties, and inevitably has a lot of sway in decisions at the detailed level. |
| John Gaskin | Director of the Bristol LEA | He sits atop of the LEA in Bristol. He will just be starting to hear about the Purdown issue and hopefully ask some questions about the consultation process thus far. |
| Sally Boulter | LEA's Assistant Director for Quality and Standards. | Answers directly to John Gaskin and (after him) has overall responsibility for the delivery of the Secondary Review, of which the LEA school moves for Bristol North is a major part. While not necessarily involved at the detailed level, she is keen to ensure the success of all aspects of the school moves. Outside of the Secondary Review, her team's sphere of responsibility includes "Music, Outdoor Education, Arts and Sport". |
| Roger Baynton | Primary (and secondary) Review Manager | Has been working closely with Sally Boulter to deliver the Secondary Review, but is retiring in July. |
| Peter Crowe | LEA Chief Architect *Resigned* | A key proponent of the new Fairfield school designs. While not directly involved in the detail of the landscaping proposals, the on-site playing fields forms part of the makeup of his overall plan. His role makes him one of the key players in the planning process. A somewhat elusive fellow, his is the only email we havent been able to find (its probably peter_crowe@bristol-city.gov.uk) |
