Green space under threat from youth centre plans

The proposed location of a new multi-million pound youth centre in south Bristol has been revealed, raising concerns about the loss of green space.

An area of fields and woods around the edge of the Inns Court housing estate in Knowle West has been earmarked for the £8.4m facility.

The “world-class Youth Zone” – one of mayor Marvin Rees’ campaign pledges – is a partnership between Bristol City Council and national youth charity OnSide.

It is currently unknown how much green space will be lost – but the council says the Youth Zone will not take up all of it.

A spokesperson added: “We know that investment into youth services in this area will help to improve outcomes and allow young people to fulfil their potential.

“We want this to be a fair, inclusive and child-friendly place for young people from all walks of life.”

An area of green space in south Bristol has been earmarked for a new multi-million pound youth centre. Photo by Bristol City Council

The Youth Zone will be run by Knowle West charity Youth Moves and is not due to open until 2024.

It will see young people in the south of the city able to access over 20 activities every night. These range from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training

Ali Dale, CEO of Youth Moves, believes there is a need for a Youth Zone in south Bristol, especially given the number of houses being built in the area.

“As a youth work charity that has grown up locally in south Bristol, we can’t wait to bring this amazing opportunity to the area,” he said.

“We understand that this may mean building on some green space in order to make this happen, but the Youth Zone is being designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible”.

The green space where the Youth Zone is proposed is also earmarked for 430 homes in the Bristol Local Plan. It is next to the Western Slopes, where hundreds more homes are planned.

The council says how much green space will be lost “will be recommended once all investigations are completed.” Photo by Charlie Watts

The council says the green space around Inns Court is a “welcome and accessible location for surrounding communities.”

While OnSide calls it “the best possible location to meet the needs of young people in south Bristol.”

A spokesperson continued: “Youth Zones are carefully developed to maximise the use of the space and minimise the amount of space they are built on.

“We also find that Youth Zones typically encourage greater use of green space by the young people who attend the Youth Zone”.

The new facility in south Bristol will join OnSide’s network of “attractive, modern and engaging” Youth Zones across the UK.

The spokesperson added: “They are each unique and designed to be sensitive to the local area.

“The south Bristol Youth Zone will be a positive addition to the local community, attracting thousands of young people for many years to come.”

Heather Pickford, secretary of the Inns Court Residents Group, says that they are “waiting for more facts and figures” before they take a formal position on the Youth Zone. But she adds that they “value their green space”.

The council is currently running an engagement survey on the Youth Zone until October 17. This is ahead of a pre-planning application consultation by OnSide later in the autumn. A final decision on it will be made by the mayor and cabinet in February 2022.

Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a pilot project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media 

Main photo by Charlie Watts

Read more: Plans to create ‘world-class’ youth centre in south Bristol

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