Public assured access to a green 'haven of peace'

Wildlife lovers have been celebrating after being assured of access to a little green "haven of peace" following a sale of private land.

Brislington Brook cuts through Bristol on its way to the River Avon and travels through two woodlands called Nightingale Valley and St Anne's Wood.

The Friends of Brislington Brook group said they had been "devastated" when two-and-a-half acres of Nightingale Valley were sold at auction in November.

But the buyers have since explained that they have "no plans" to change the area or the way it is accessed, the group said.

The group's vice chair, Jackie Friel, said at a meeting that the buyers had promised to keep the land free for public use.

"We're going to try and get a covenant drawn up with Bristol City Council to ensure the site will remain open to the community, but we believe they will keep their word," she said.

Ms Friel said the green corridor is steeped in history as it was used in medieval times as a "pilgrims path" and housed tar barrels from an old factory nearby.

Former group member Andy McBride Coogan said the group tried to "plan for the worst and hope for the best" when they heard about the sale.

"We knew there was a stretch of the footpath that ran through the land that was private," he said.

"[But] it's actually worked out very well. They've started to do things with the tar barrels because they're dangerous to walk through.

Mr Coogan said the brook feels like his "special secret" place.

"It's a corridor of countryside that cuts right through the city.

"It's my little haven of peace," he added.

Nearby resident and Friends of Brislington Brook chair, Jo Bushell said the group is glad the new owners want to look after the site.

"It's a really special place. We really have to hold onto these spaces," she said.

Mr Kendrick, one of the buyers of the land, said he had "no other plans for the area at all".

"We're really grateful to the friends of Brislington Brook for their continued efforts to keep Nightingale Valley in the best condition possible and look forward to doing the remedial jobs we discussed with them when we all met there," he added.

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