Conflict Of Interest Allegations Over Sainsbury’s Ashton Gate Decision

By Hannah2009 | Saturday, July 24, 2010, 10:31

Allegations have been made concerning a possible conflict of interest on the part of one of the members of the Development Control (South and East) committee regarding the decision over Sainsbury’s planning application for Ashton Gate.

Sainsbury's planning application for a superstore at Ashton Gate was refused

Council planning officials had recommended the application for approval but the committee refused it, citing concerns over increased traffic levels and sustainability.

Simon Rayner (Lib Dem, Kingsweston) chaired Wednesday night’s committee meeting at the Council House and backed the motion to refuse Sainsbury’s application to build a superstore at Ashton Gate.

Allegations were made on the Bristol City Fans’ Forum yesterday afternoon that Mr Rayner had a conflict of interest he should have declared.

Mr Rayner has denied there was a conflict of interest, saying he was “completely satisfied” there was “no conflict of interest”.

Mr Rayner is employed by Alec French Architects. A member of the fans’ forum said that Alec French Architects were partners with George Ferguson’s firm, Ferguson Mann, in the ‘Concept Planning Group’ – which, he said, tenders for urban planning projects in Bristol.

Mr Ferguson has been an outspoken opponent of the applications to build a superstore at the Ashton Gate site and has put forward an alternative mixed use for the site, which would include family homes and leisure, community and work space.

To read the allegations on the Bristol City Fans’ Forum, see ‘Ole’s’ post here.

Councillor Mark Bradshaw (Lab, Bedminster), who has said he was “deeply disappointed” by the committee’s decision, posted a link to the allegations on Twitter yesterday afternoon and later a comment saying that he had received an email from a Lib Dem cabinet member asking him to remove the Tweet.

Mr Bradshaw refused, saying: “We do need to be open and transparent don’t we [sic]”.

Then Mr Bradshaw said on Twitter that he received emails from people angry about the Ashton Gate decision, including “one making some serious allegations which need investigating by BCC [Bristol City Council] officers”.

Yesterday evening, Mr Rayner responded to the allegations, calling them “silly conspiracy theories”.

In a blog post, Mr Rayner said: “I am completely satisfied that I had no conflict of interest in determining this application.”

He denied any existing partnership between Alec French Architects and Ferguson Mann, saying: “Architect George Ferguson has been vocal in his opposition to the Sainsbury’s application and George Ferguson’s firm, Ferguson Mann does in fact have an interest in the Ashton Gate site, as he mentioned in his statement to the committee.

“Alec French Architects have previously worked with Ferguson Mann on a number of occasions, but none of this work has any connection to the site in question.

“Alec French have not worked with Ferguson Mann during the time I have been employed there, and I have never met George Ferguson.

“They are not currently involved in working together, and the partnership between the two firms has now ceased.”

You can read Mr Rayner’s post in full here.

Mr Bradshaw told BedminsterPeople: “People must have confidence in [the] planning process so [I] expect Bristol City Council to investigate the allegations made by local residents and others.”

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Comments

ChrisBristol. South Bristol or more specifically NorthSt ECO argument will be assured if we are mindful of the bigger picture. There is no argument or proof that North St will become the demise of Sainsburys. I think that it will enhance it, by giving a wider choice.and maintain what is already enjoyed, it has specialist shops of which the shopper at Sainsburys cannot enjoy. There is no reason why local traders could not sell their wares to Sainsburys, after all, Asda in Bedminster are asking for local produce . Time to drop North St argument move on, and STOP digging heels in. This change proposed is for the good of the community. DONT LOSE IT !!

By coddger at 16:50 on 26/07/10
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There is no proof or reason that the community of north St would be affected by the Sainsburys new supermarket, in fact it could enhance it. There are loyal clientele who will remain loyal, and its good to have such a range of choice. So lets dispel the North St eco argument, live and let live , and get on with opportunity to further develop Bristol, whilst its heritage is likely to be maintained, in North Street. Look at the Bigger picture and dont be narrow minded !!

By coddger at 16:43 on 26/07/10
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Once again, the argument that a supermarket that already exists will kill off the North Street shops raises it's head again. Ok, I was not a supporter of the Tesco plan because I believe that company already has too many shops in Bedminster and Bristol as a whole. Sainsburys however, would just be an existing supermarket moving approximately 300 yards down the road. It has already been in the area for years and has not damaged the North Street shops yet. If anything should have damaged the North Street shops it was the building of an Aldi but it didn't. I have said it on this forum before, take a good look at the North Street shops. Exactly which ones would be affected? The bulk of the premises at the lower end (Cannon St end) of North Street are vacant properties, some of which have been empty for 15+ years, offices, junk shops and cafes. At the upper end there are maybe ten to a dozen businesses that *might* be affected. The remainder are bars/cafes, charity shops, junk shops and the kind of specialist shop that sells things or offer services that Sainsburys are unlikely to (I can't see them suddenly selling Bristol Blue Glass, starting up Pizza deliveries, bicycle repairs, hairdressing salons or an estate agents). Of the businesses that might be affected, two are existing supermarket chains. The remainder tend to gather business from the local area and have quite loyal clientele because of the quality service and goods they offer. I can't see all the elderly people who use the local shops suddenly tottering 500 extra yards up North Street to buy their two chops and a pound of mince from Sainsburys rather than Butts or Wherlocks where they have been shopping for years. Nor can I see all the Southville yummy mummies and eco warriors abandoning the deli just because Sainsburys offers a limited range of organic lentils. Places like the Tobacco factory would not be affected unless the plans included a theatre on the site and I can't honestly remember seeing one on them. From listening to all the arguments it strikes me that there are a vocal minority, mainly incomers to the Southville/Bedminster area who are more concerned with sticking it to big business than looking at what might be beneficial to the area and are using the 'local shops' as a convenient hook to hang their spurious eco-agendas from.

By Kaptain_Von at 11:41 on 26/07/10
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Coddger, how will Bristol's future heritage be ensured by effectively killing off the thriving shops in North Street? I moved to Southville 25 years ago, and it has always been a friendly community, and the redevelopment of the Tobacco Factory and the subsequent boost to North Street has been fantastic. Building a supermarket next door to these shops will kill this community, and for what? Yet another supermarket?

By ChrisBristol at 00:24 on 26/07/10
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The Biggest mistake Bristol has made for its economic future. Mark Bradshaw comments are correct,. Mr Rayners decision, was likey to have been influenced by those who selfisly have their heads in the cloud, are ignorent, and inexperienced. Mr Rayner has sadly as become a victim of is own success. Now you will have to learn Mr Rayner from the errors made, and the demise of Bristol's opportunity . A very grave decision has been made, a resignation is due? To Sainsburys and BCFC take up the appeal, fight the good fight,for Bristols future heritage, dont sit back and do nothing !!, Dont be submissive to this crass decision.

By coddger at 22:17 on 24/07/10
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