Many residents will be aware that there is an application from the city council for planning permission to remove the wall along Tuffley Park.
They want to replace the wall with a 1.8M hoop-top fence.
I understand that this project will be paid for mostly from the insurance money and topped up with money from the open spaces fund. I have asked to see any options appraisal that was carried out to ascertain the cost of maintaining and repairing the wall.
Last year part of the wall was damaged when it was hit by a car. The council have been dealing with insurers since then, and I have been checking in frequently to see what progress is being made.
The wall is cracked in many places and is unsafe in the opinion of many.
I consulted residents in my ward last year on an informal basis, in letters, emails and on social media, to ask for views, and the majority came down on the side of removal of the wall. This week after the application was made, I have again posted on social media to make residents aware.
There has been a good debate, and there is clearly a lot of passion on both sides of the argument. Whilst I have my personal view, I also am elected to listen to all concerns from residents. I suspect that this issue will come to planning committee for determination, in view of the range of comments that will be received.
Letters have been sent by the council to all the affected houses on the Moreland side of the road, opposite the wall, and I have now asked for that letter to be sent to the affected houses in Podsmead too.
I will also be continuing to consult and encourage residents to have their say, whatever their views. It will be a great help to me to have thoughts from local people on this subject. Please get in touch.
You can make comments on the application via https://glcstrplnng12.co.uk, searching for 21/00498/FUL (you will need to register if not already).
You can also contact Gloucester City Council via:
Email: heretohelp@gloucester.gov.uk
Post: Gloucester City Council, PO Box 3252, Gloucester, GL1 9FW
Phone: 01452 396 396