Building over Pen Park Hole?

[Aubrey]

Pen Park Hole is on the north side of Bristol so exactly Mendip!

There is a proposal to build over the cave:

http://southwestbusiness-co-uk.mysmartercms.co.uk/news/02042013094537-residents-condemn-plan-to-build-new-bristol-homes-over-cave/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GloucesterEcho&utm_campaign=2325132_Bristol+Briefing.+2.4.13.&dm_i=1C2H,1DU30,6V2YKG,4P3YX,1

 

[graham]

I hope the fact that Pen Park Hole is in the middle of a housing estate and thus not anywhere near CroW access land will allow some of this board's more 'zealous' members to appreciate that it actually does need a gate and an access system* 

This application was submitted last September and, for reasons that escape me, has yet to be considered by the planning committee. However, in the mean time we have carried out a higher grade survey of the top part of the cave (much of the rest is inaccessible owing to the high water level) and made it clear both to the planners and to the developers exactly what the risks and problems are, we have taken the local MP, Charlotte Leslie, down to see for herself and I can tell you that both she (a tory) and the local (Labour) councillor Jenny Smith have objected to this proposal. I have also offered to take the planning officers down to see for themselves.

It really should be dead in the water by now. I do not understand why it isn't.


*The cave entrance was concreted over in 1963. In 1993, after 10 years (yes) of careful negotiation by yours truly it was reopened. It's a fascinating place, probably the best example of a hypogene cave in the UK.

 

[graham]

In order to get information available to the interested public as well as the planners & everyone else, we started a dedicated website for the cave. It can be found here. It is hosted on UBSS webspace.

The latest addition to that site is a 5 minute video clip extracted from the 2003 Secret Underground TV series & kindly given to us by Redweather Productions who made the original series. This can be found on the further reading page.

 

[graham]

NB

The cave is not visible on Google Street View. 

 

[Les W]

Some news in the Bristol Post...
http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/deep-Cave-fears-spell-end-housing-plan/story-20695543-detail/story.html

 

[Stu]

I hope the fact that Pen Park Hole is in the middle of a housing estate and thus not anywhere near CroW access land will allow some of this board's more 'zealous' members to appreciate that it actually does need a gate and an access system* 

Haha... despite some of our differences Graham, I kind of like you (I'm sure you wouldn't lose sleep if I didn't though). But you don't half like shoving a stick into a hornets nest! 

It's good to know you're on the case.  Well done

 

[graham]

I hope the fact that Pen Park Hole is in the middle of a housing estate and thus not anywhere near CroW access land will allow some of this board's more 'zealous' members to appreciate that it actually does need a gate and an access system* 

Haha... despite some of our differences Graham, I kind of like you (I'm sure you wouldn't lose sleep if I didn't though). But you don't half like shoving a stick into a hornets nest! 

I meant it at the time (April last year that post was made) but bear in in mind some of the more recent posts on the CNCC threads, where at least one of those zealots has actually made the statement that a gate is a gate is a gate, wherever it is, thus stupidly equating this particular site with a tiny 'ole well off the beaten track on a moor somewhere & you will begin to see why I have, shall we say, differences of opinion with some people.

It's good to know you're on the case.  Well done

Thank you. it's taken up a lot of time of mine and others. We shall probably win this one and hopefully modify the application next door, as well. Side effects have been some good PR for both caves and cavers, good relations with the local public - I have given several talks, locally, on this cave - good professional relationships with MPs and with agencies such as NE as well.

All for the sake of the cave and of access to the site for cavers. And as far as I am aware none of it has given me - or anyone else - any 'authority' or 'control' over any other cavers.

 

[martinm]

Thank you. it's taken up a lot of time of mine and others. We shall probably win this one and hopefully modify the application next door, as well. Side effects have been some good PR for both caves and cavers, good relations with the local public - I have given several talks, locally, on this cave - good professional relationships with MPs and with agencies such as NE as well.

All for the sake of the cave and of access to the site for cavers. And as far as I am aware none of it has given me - or anyone else - any 'authority' or 'control' over any other cavers.

Well done Graham, keep up the good work!