 Here
is
the
view
from
the
other
side
of
the
new
bridge
carrying
the
line
over
Countess
Way.
Below,
sheep
still
graze
on
the
last
remnants
of
the
Abbot's
Meads,
the
ancient
water
meadows
that
formerly
covered
a
considerable
area
north
of
Chester.
In the distance you can see Parkgate Road and Blacon Avenue. This is typical of the sort of green open space local planners consider to be of no recreational value and therefore suitable for 'redevelopment'. Indeed, to great local concern, this land has been acquired by Tescos and the nearby Blacon Meadows have been earmarked for the construction of low-grade 'retail outlets' with associated car parking, by yet another company with few local loyalties, Scottish Metropolitan. This development was only proposed and reluctantly accepted when SM's previous plan- the construction of a night club, bingo hall, 'theme restaurant' (burger bar) and massive car park, caused outrage in the local community. Turning to face the opposite direction, not far from here is a large
area of allotments. It had been announced that this was to be bulldozed
and the land sold for private housing development. This inevitably led
to considerable local opposition and a vigourous campaign was fought
in defence of a valued amenity. |