Local residents in Eastville have spoken of their shock after a "sanctuary" behind their homes was fenced off for works. The work is taking place in a wooded area next to a tunnel, but was described by a resident as causing “carnage”.
But the new landowner said he is only refurbishing the tunnel for storage and shutting it down to antisocial behaviour, and his company will be improving the section of land in the long term. Members of the Ingmire Road Residents’ Association said they are concerned that a building company has bought the land and were “setting up shop” and “wreaking havoc on this lovely area”.
Members said they have complained to the council. A spokesperson for the association said: “The embankment woodland area is an important natural amenity for us residents and they are destroying it."
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They added that they feel the tunnel has historic value as it is an unusual example of structural engineering, with a design that “has been built to twist round on itself to make the angle of the opening possible.” A local resident, who asked only to be named as Mr Ozel, said concern was raised by residents after the area was fenced off and work started last week.
This included digging up the area in front of the tunnel. He claimed the new owner had already painted part of the tunnel brickwork with grey paint and residents were also concerned about the surrounding trees.
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said the land was part of a wildlife corridor. He said: “They just turned up and started digging up outside people’s houses.
“It’s a fantastic wildlife sanctuary." He claimed that a badger sett was in close proximity and the embankment was home to wildlife such as foxes and birds.
“There has been complete disregard for residents and we are concerned about what his plans are, [the landowner] has alienated the whole street," he said. The new owner, Gareth Archer, said he has bought the section of land and would be using the tunnel for storage for his business.
He said: “We are refurbishing the tunnel to use for storage and the deeds require it to be fenced off.” Mr Archer said they had been grading the top soil but would not be disturbing the trails on the embankment.
He added that his company would be improving the section of land, which would also discourage people including drug users from being in the tunnel. Mr Archer highlighted that he was local, having lived in the area for 15 years and knew many of the residents.
He said: “It will be an improvement on the existing arrangement.” A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said the planning enforcement team will look into neighbours' concerns.
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