News / bedminster
Plans approved to open up underground river
Plans have been approved to open up an underground river running through south Bristol despite concerns about the loss of trees.
Several tall trees will be chopped down to make way for a new amphitheatre seating area, which will also help prevent flooding.
The plans include improving the flow of the River Malago in three places in Bedminster, where the river currently runs mostly underground.
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One place has caused particular concern: a small area of green space in between Whitehouse Lane and Dalby Avenue, known as Bedminster Green.
Councillors on the development control A committee voted to approve planning permission after hearing that the restoration forms an integral part of the wider Bedminster Green regeneration project, with thousands of student beds under construction nearby.
Sally Davis, director at Avison Young, said the scheme will “unlock the potential of the Malago to manage drainage and flood risk, and to create an enhanced network of public amenity spaces, planting and habitats”.
“There are many public benefits, including reducing flood risk, enhancing the public realm and providing access to nature.”
Davis added that the works would increase biodiversity, after replacement trees had been planted.
However, this will take more than a quarter of a century, as new trees take time to grow before they can create habitats for wildlife, like the ones already existing on Bedminster Green.
To make up for the several trees which will be chopped down, 31 trees will be planted nearby and 86 elsewhere in Bristol.
Where the restoration work of the River Malago will take place – map: Bristol City Council
Local residents criticised the plans as a “concrete ditch for flood relief”, particularly due to the loss of mature trees.
Roland Oliver said: “When I heard that the Malago river was going to be opened up, I was delighted.
“A gentle little stream among the crocuses and daffodils and poplar trees to enhance that little hint of countryside that is Bedminster Green.
“But that’s not the reality. The plan is to dig up the ground, chop down the trees, commandeer some public land to build a fenced-off, concrete ditch for flood relief and drainage facilities for big buildings that threaten to surround Bedminster Green.”
Councillors welcomed the new protections from floods but raised concerns about the loss of trees in the area, with Green councillor Rob Bryher, chair of the committee, saying that “clearly with mature trees, we want to protect them as much as possible”.
Bryher said: “It’s really difficult in terms of the emotional connection that we all have with nature.
“At the same time, overall this does present a good opportunity to free the Malago. It provides the opportunity for people to see the Malago in a way that they haven’t perhaps in the past.”
Bryher was the only Green councillor voting in favour of granting planning permission alongside Labour councillors Katja Hornchen, Zoë Peat and Don Alexander; Lib Dem Sarah Classick; and Tory Richard Eddy.
Voting against were Greens Guy Poultney, Ellie Freeman and Serena Ralston.
Main image: Bristol City Council
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