News / Yew Tree Farm
Bristol Greens promise pause at Yew Tree after nests ‘destroyed’
Bristol Greens have promised a pause on work at the Yew Tree Farm Site of Nature Conservation Interest after bird nests were “destroyed”. The party is investigating how decisions were made about the farm, where some land will be given over to a cemetery expansion.
Leaked emails, written by Bristol City Council bosses at the end of June, appear to show the Green council leader, councillor Tony Dyer, was “fully briefed and supportive” on the cemetery expansion going ahead — despite the Greens opposing the plan before the May local elections.
The Greens published a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, July 27, promising to publish the findings of their investigation which was launched three weeks ago. The statement did not say whether the party was now for or against the plan to expand South Bristol Cemetery.
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The statement said: “On the instruction of council leader Tony Dyer, an investigation was launched on July 9 into the decision-making process regarding Yew Tree Farm.
“The remit of the investigation includes establishing a timeline of all decisions, whether by officer or members; identifying any deviation from high standards of decision-making and implementation expected by the citizens of Bristol; and investigating the transparency of process.
“The investigation aims to provide recommendations and report publicly on its findings.
“Following evidence of damage to nesting bird sites, Cllr Dyer ordered an immediate pause to all activity with the SNCI until the investigation is completed. Bristol City Council and the Bristol Green Party take the climate and ecological emergency and our obligations to the environment as a key priority.”
A week after the investigation was launched, during the strategy and resources policy committee on July 15, councillors were asked to note the planned use of £2.4m Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy to support the expansion of South Bristol Cemetery. However, this wasn’t explicitly read out during the meeting, as Cllr Dyer had “problems with his voice”.
The spending was welcomed by Karin Smyth, Labour MP for Bristol South, who tweeted: “Pleased to see council leader Tony Dyer move forward with plans to expand South Bristol Cemetery and Crematorium.
“It’s a needed extension, ensuring families in South Bristol and beyond have a special place to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones.”
Main photo: Rob Browne
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