Campaigners appealing to the public for photos and videos of Turbo Island in bid to 'save' site from private developers

The same plan was used by those wanting to protect Stoke Lodge from losing shared community access to Cotham School

Campaigners hoping to 'save' Turbo Island from private development are appealing to members of the public to scour through photos and videos to show Turbo Island being used in a social manner over the past 20 years. This tactic refers to an application for Town and Village Green status (TVG) to ensure Turbo Island remains a shared community asset.

Turbo Island was listed for sale by auction last month. Since then, multiple fundraisers have been set up to try and buy the site, as well as the latest legal plan.

The same tactic was used in 2011 by those concerned about development of Stoke Lodge by Cotham School. Cotham School had been using the site since 2000 for PE lessons, but locals were worried that their access to the site would be limited and secured TVG status.

According to the Bristol City Council website, applicants for TVG status "must prove that the land has been used by a significant group of people in the neighbourhood for recreational pastimes, like picnics, games, fetes etc, for 20 years or more as of right (without the permission of the landowner)."

Campaigner Oscar Bailey said: "We've had a great response so far with people sending us pictures and videos: this has included Dom Whiting's DnB bike ride and Eva Lazarus' album launch party in 2022.

"Our next public meeting is Wednesday evening (September 25) on Turbo Island: we're committed to involving the people who use the space so we've been reaching out to people who hang out there over the past week to let them know it's happening.

"We're looking at other sources of funds to buy the land outside of the crowd funder, and also looking for legal routes to keep the space safe from private developers, including the latest application for Village Green status."