I wrote an update about the wall at Tuffley Park on Facebook recently:

UPDATE ON THE TUFFLEY PARK WALL

1st June 2021

A planning application was submitted last month to remove the wall along Tuffley Park and replace it with a 1.8 metre high metal hoop-top fence.

This came about after the council looked at options to repair or replace the damage that occurred last year when the wall was hit by a car.

The plan was to use the £50K insurance money and some section 106 money from developers to pay for the fence, which would have cost £100K overall. No taxpayer money would have been spent on this project.

I posted on this page at the time and wrote to the residents most directly affected by this application. The Labour councillors in Moreland did the same.

There were a variety of responses, some in favour and some against. Some people wanted to retain the wall due to its age and the fact that it has been a feature for a long time. Others wanted to see the park opened up and some hedges planted along the fence line.

The matter was due to come to planning committee in July. The council have since taken advice from their conservation officer and determined that the fence would not have been a high quality enough replacement. The wall was also deemed to have historical, communal and landmark value.

The damaged section of wall will now be repaired. Although the rest of the wall has some cosmetic cracks it is structurally sound. The area is inspected regularly as part of the council estate but the council have added a specific check on the wall.

This matter may well be revisited in the future and I still hope that we can make improvements in this area. Of particular concern is the gate into the park which needs sorting out.

Some people will be relieved and some will be disappointed by this decision. It is important to listen to and respect all views.

What has been heartening about this debate have been all the offers of help, the goodwill of the community and the wish to make our park better. I hope that this continues.

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So it looks as though the wall will be staying, but we might have the opportunity to install better gates – something that lots of residents have asked me about. Let me know your thoughts on any of the above here.