6,000 people signed a petition calling for it to be saved
Whitchurch Athletics Track(Image: John Pearce)
Saving a doomed athletics track in South Bristol would be too expensive according to a new report revealing potential costs of changing a housing plan.
Redesigning the housing planned for the site, to make space for keeping the track, could cost up to £12.6 million.
Goram Homes, the developer owned by Bristol City Council, is planning to build 140 homes on the Whitchurch Athletics Track, as part of the wider 1,400 homes at Hengrove Park. However last year 6,000 petitioners urged the council to save and refurbish the running track.
Then in March earlier this year, Labour also said the track should be saved, despite having brought forward the Hengrove Park development when in power. This led to councillors voting on a motion, and staff exploring the potential costs of saving the track from development.
The costs will be discussed by councillors on the strategy and resources policy committee on Monday, July 13. A committee report said that changing the housing plan at this late stage could create a legal headache, delay the new homes by years, and cost many millions of pounds.
The report said: “Retention of the running track does not feature in the Hengrove and Whitchurch Park Neighbourhood Plan and is not a prerequisite for achieving health and wellbeing outcomes at a local of Bristol-wide, nor for initial participation in athletics, which commonly begins through schools, informal running and broader physical activity opportunities.
“Notwithstanding that Goram Homes now owns the land, options for the retention of Phase 8 land for a replacement athletics track have been considered. Estimated costs associated with a full redesign could run into millions: using an average UK benchmark of £4,500-10,000 per unit costs for planning and design this would range between £5.7 million and £12.6 million.”
Around half of the 1,400 new homes will be affordable, either for social rent or shared ownership. The plans include improving the public open space with play areas and sports pitches, and upgrading roads, junctions and footpaths nearby.
However the housing plan has been controversial, because of the loss of the athletics track. The track formally closed in 2010 and was replaced with a new one in Whitehall. But the track has still been used by the Family Cycling Centre, as somewhere for children to learn to ride a bike, as well as informally by runners.
In March teenage athletes urged councillors to scrap the plan to build housing on the track, and last year a police inspector said athletics could be a way to keep teenagers out of trouble. Campaigners have put forward a proposal to rescue the track and partner with the nearby hospital, college and leisure centre, with a business plan and the potential for external funding.
But one council boss recently questioned whether Bristol needs two athletics tracks. A refurbishment is planned at the Whitehall track, and Guy Fishbourne, the council’s sport and physical activity development manager, told councillors that a second track could make Whitehall unviable, as both sites would be competing for runners and volunteers.
The report added: “The masterplan prioritises interventions proven to have the greatest impact on physical activity levels and health inequalities, including active environments, accessible green space, walkable neighbourhoods, inclusive community assets and improved access to education and skills.
“Community safety and the prevention of antisocial behaviour are addressed through this wider whole place approach such as increased natural surveillance, enhanced public realm, positive use of space and stronger community connections, rather than reliance on a single facility.”
But there are still lingering questions about how much demand there is for athletics tracks. The council’s latest evidence is three years out of date, and the popularity of running is booming. The sport and active recreation facility strategy covered 2018 to 2023, and this is the basis that staff believe there is no need for a second track, although a new strategy is being developed.
This will provide a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the need across Bristol. Investment into an alternative athletics facility would most likely come from external funders, who would need clear evidence of demand.