'Disappointment' as Turbo Island village green rejected

A campaign group which has been fighting for a small patch of land in Bristol to be named a village green says it is disappointing that the bid has been rejected.

The People's Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC) had applied to Bristol City Council to protect Turbo Island in Stokes Croft, which is known for its social gatherings as well as anti-social behaviour.

Councillors rejected the bid at a public rights of way and greens committee meeting earlier, after inspectors said there was a lack of evidence that the site qualified for the status.

Nigel Mintz, from Out of Hand, which owns the land, said the firm did not intend to build on the land but was concerned about fires being lit there.

The campaign to protect Turbo Island began in September 2024 after the previous owners, the advertising company Wildstone, advertised the land for auction.

It was sold to an unknown local buyer in October 2024 for £100,000 and is now owned by Bedminster-based Out of Hand, an advertising company.

The PRSC applied for village green status to save the land from development, stating the area served as a "vital" meeting point for members of the community, particularly homeless people, for more than 20 years.

Objections were received from Wildstone, Out of Hand Limited, the National Grid and Avon and Somerset Police.

The small triangular plot of land has become notorious for being a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, street drinking and impromptu bonfires.

Beniot Bennett, the main applicant, said: "It is a very busy area; there are always people there, sometimes doing perfectly legal things, but sometimes drinking, sometimes setting fires, sometimes taking drugs. Some people take a very dim view of that.

"But the fact that it happens on Turbo Island isn't because of Turbo Island; it's because of wider issues. It's not because of it being a public space."

Village green applications are usually granted to protect small plots of land from developers wishing to build there.

Sites protected by the status are then open for public access to allow for recreational activities, such as playing football or dog walking.

After a two-day inquiry, inspectors said there was a lack of evidence that it had been used for legal pastimes, a requirement for the status.

Bennett said it had been difficult to gather the evidence needed for the application, due to the inability to track down the people who gathered there.

Mintz said: "Our interest in Turbo Island is for the billboard advertising for arts and cultural events within the city, which is what we've always done and what we will always carry on doing.

"There are lots of various activities on Turbo Island which serve a certain demographic, but also cause a nuisance for local businesses and other locals.

"We're happy with the decision, but it changes nothing really on the ground.

"We're going to carry on using the billboard, and I'm sure other people will carry on using the space as they have done in the past."

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