Conservatives’ promises on the future of the Ariston Site branded “too vague” (East of England Liberal Democrats)

East of England Liberal Democrats <info@eastlibdems.org.uk>

Conservatives’ promises on the future of the Ariston Site branded “too vague”

January 30, 2012 10:51 PM
Originally published by St Albans Liberal Democrats

Rather than adding clarity to the future for St Albans Judo Club and The Pioneer, last week's meeting of the County's Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the future of the Ariston Site off Harpenden Road has led local Liberal Democrat Counillors to accuse the Conservatives at both the District and County Council of being "too vague" with their promises to support these community groups.

When the issue had been raised at the Full District Council meeting in St Albans on January 18th, the Conservative group forced through a wrecking amendment to a Lib Dem motion urging the County Council to reconsider the decision. The Labour group failed to support the attempt to protect the community groups, choosing instead to side with the Conservatives by abstaining. The final motion simply stated that the planning brief included the groups, without providing any guarantees for their future.

After the County Council's Overview & Scrutiny meeting on January 25th, both Councillors and members of the public were left with a distinct feeling of unease, as it was made clear that the land was already being prepared for sale, even before a full review of the needs of both the statutory and community groups had been completed.

Lib Dem Councillor Melvyn Teare, who represents Marshalswick South where the Ariston site is located, said:

"Although I had seconded the Lib Dem motion calling for the County Council to review its decision, it saddened me that the Conservatives on one hand said to us that they support the community groups, but on the other that they should not be given the same protection as others users on the site. The protection they are offering these groups is just too vague.

"Now the County Council has admitted that we could see the land sold to a developer, only for some of it to be conveyed back to the County Council to provide some of the services. Is that what the Conservatives mean when they claim to want to be more efficient? Or is it that they would rather pay for lawyers than see the money kept in St Albans, providing for the community groups that benefit young people both in the District and more widely across Hertfordshire - and beyond?"

There was some glimmer of hope that emerged from the meeting, however, as the campaign by Friends of Bernards Heath to protect the green space that forms the playing field appears to be edging towards success. A potential concern remains about the final size of the playing field and which areas might potentially be redeveloped, as it is considered brownfield. The case of Friends of Bernards Heath has been strengthened by support from the Battlefields Trust, which had highlighted the historical significance of the site: Bernards Heath was the location of the War of the Roses-era Second Battle of St Albans, fought in February 1461 (the 550^th Anniversary was commemorated by the Battlefield Trust in St Albans just under a year ago).