Hands On Our Park website (unofficial) - Consultation.

This is a strange one.

We have been told of all the questionnaires distributed (although never of how many came back or what they said) - but people who remember receiving one are very thin on the ground.

What we do know is that a huge document was produced in 2005 (no link, sorry, it's about 700 pages - copy available to view from HOOP) by outside consultants.

It's very thorough and provides excellent photos of the historically interesting areas as well as the poor quality of signage and maintenance in various areas.

There is a report of various workshops which were held with 'key stakeholders including Council Officer, Elected Members and representatives from other organisations'. Another workshop was held with a second group - 'representatives from community groups, parish councils, parks staff and local people.'

We have asked a number of the participants why they have been protesting that they were never consulted. All the ones we have asked are adamant that they were sure they were being consulted about the northern end of the Park only - and we have found no-one who admits to having heard, let alone made one particular comment from the stakeholders' group:

IF PEOPLE WANT TRANQUILITY THEY CAN DRIVE TO SOUTH SHROPSHIRE

It is well worth reading the comments - contact us if you want to see the whole report or just the consultation section. Some extracts, which are of course selective:

Stakeholders (included commercial interests):

• Residential development - not needed as large scale estate development in southern areas
• No cars or buses to be brought through the park
• Pub in the park (!!!!)
• Links through park to Ironbridge WHS essential* (!!!!!)
• The Ever Ready site is heavily contaminated, what are the future plans? (Answer, it is 'White Land' and funds are readily available for decontamination. HOOP wouldn't be too worried about development of this site, but planning permission has been refused - of course the council does not own it, so no cash to be made)
• The Arena must be saved (we hope the International Centre knows this)

Some comments from the community group, (which did not include any ordinary members of the public unless representating organisations):

• Avoid fragmentation of the park either by development of facilities or by division due to transport links
• Wouldn't want to see major facilities developed in southern areas of the park
• No further buses or cars to be encouraged or provided for in the park
• Avoid links to Ironbridge through the park.* These are not seen as necessary due to adequate existing bus links on the road network.
• Telford Development Corporation was more approachable than the Borough of Telford and Wrekin (from a parish council rep)
• Expansion of Wonderland would lead to a loss of the park
• Randlay car park is to become a park and ride (so rumours were flying in 2005)
• Commitment from the council to fund the park. It is important that it should not be seen as an asset to the Town Centre, it should be seen as 'an asset to the people that live and work in Telford'.

Of course these quotes are selective and may not be properly representative. We would contend that the council's response has been similarly selective.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust carried out a consultation about Telford's Green spaces in 2005. Very revealing! Details here.