More on this Campaign: Save the Bowstring Bridge

20 August 2009

Despite this major set-back to the campaign we will not give up the fight whilst the bridge still stands. We will now move on to obstruct as far as is possible the forces of destruction.

We intend on staging a major protest against the proposed demolition with a provisional date of Saturday 12th September.

Additionally, we understand that the proposed sports centre development constitutes a 'major' development of over 1000 square metres in which case the applicant MUST therefore apply for planning permission for the demolition of any existing structures on the site, and this SHOULD be done at the same time as the application for any redevelopment, to enable a proper planning decision to be made.

This is extremely important as it will enable objection to be legitimately made to demolition when the re-development proposals are made. And:

1) Any attempt by Leicester City Council to demolish beforehand would therefore be unlawful.

2) Any attempt by Leicester City Council to claim that they are owners of the land until such time as they sell it to DMU, who can then do what they like, would constitute a 'bending' of the above planning law given the redevelopment agreement already reached between the two parties, and the widespread public knowledge of this agreement.

This will also 'flush out' DMU's proposals, which are currently being kept secret.

It will inevitably show that the development site will also comprise the existing John Sandford Sports Centre and therefore loss of the diverted footpath that the Council have been at great pains to designate a public highway, and which the judge at last October's hearing into the stopping-up order for the bridge and viaduct described as a "reasonable alternative route" to that over the bridge.

One wonders if he would have so described this footpath if he had been aware that even then DMU must have been considering its loss as part of their development. No doubt there will be widespread objection to any new "stopping-up" order deemed necessary by DMU.

Regarding the English Heritage inspector's report, this deals wholly in matters of fact in relation to the national standards applied by English Heritage in their role as advisor to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The coalition of objectors though obliged to accept this decision are naturally extremely disappointed in such a response, and extremely disappointed that it took English Heritage six-and-a-half months to reach this conclusion..

I would at this stage wish to thank all who have supported the campaign to save both the Bridge and the Pub for so long. However we are not defeated as long as they remain intact.

Stuart Bailey

Chairman & Public Relations Officer

Leicester Civic Society