Landowner Challenges The Council Over Town Green Status

The landowner Houshang Jafari is attempting to challenge the decision making process of Bristol City Council in their declaration of Grove Wood as a Town & Village Green. This potentially elevates the whole issue to the High Court but before that an initial permission stage is required to filter out any illegitimate claims. Accordingly, a short oral hearing is taking place on Tuesday 13th November 2012 at the Bristol Civil Justice Centre, 2 Redcliffe Street, Bristol, BS1 6GB. The landowner has very little grounds as the decision was facilitated by an independent inspector. The public are welcome to attend, especially those wanting to witness the antics of this self-styled 'lord' and his associates.

April Fools Town Green Celebration 2012

On April Fools Day 2012 campaigners and members of the local community celebrated Grove Wood becoming a Town Green. Whilst this benefits the immediate neighbourhoods of Stapleton and Fishponds as established throughout the application process this is great news for people throughout Bristol who also visit the land. The event was supported by local counsellors Steve Comer and Lesley Alexander who have been committed to preserving the woodland for local people. See here for a few reasons why this is such an important place and visit the Snuff Mills Action Group blog for more photos and a video of the event.

Grove Wood Granted Town Green Status!

On 15th March 2012 Grove Wood was granted Town & Village Green status by the Public Rights of Way and Greens Committee, following recommendations by the independent inspector and senior council officers. This means local residents and the wider public have the legal endorsement to access and enjoy Grove Wood for leisure, recreation and pastimes as they have done 'as of right' for well over twenty years. There were 61 supporting public statements (including 2 late submissions) and a measly 4 objections submitted by the landowner and his paid staff and associates. What was clearly recognised by Anne Nugent, Head of Legal Services for Bristol City Council, was the manner in which the ownership had 'changed hands' but was always under the control of Houshang Jafari, registering it under several bizarre companies like the most recent 'Kingdon of Najafabad Ltd'. Yes, here in the UK you can freely invent different companies for whatever purpose you desire, especially when trying to conceal your business operations. There were more futile objections and illegitimate rantings from the landowner's wife, Katrina Jafari, but these were appropriately dealt with by the chair. You can download the report here in PDF format.

Village Green Application - Final Hearing

The final hearing of the Town & Village Green application took place on 4th and 5th August 2011 at the Council House. The whole process was very fairly managed by an independent inspector who on this occasion listened to the objectors (Mr Jafari and Mr Mair) present their evidence and be cross examined by the applicant (Snuff Mills Action Group) along with a final summing up from both sides. The inspector will submit a report with recommendations to Bristol City Council to take the necessary action, most likely a Compulsory Purchase Order as this is the only way to deal with a landowner who repeatedly abuses planning law and hides behind his associates and employees. The objectors contradicted themselves on numerous points and Mr Jafari announced intentions to place wooden holiday cabins in the flat area beside Blackberry Hill, denied the tracks at the eastern end are made by people, kept referring to the kissing gate as a horse gate and has apparently visited the land with his son every few days despite his wife declaring it a death trap!

Photo : 26th February 2011

Crown Court Finds Landowner Guilty For Breach Of Planning Law

The landowner's appeal against the illegitimate use of a portacabin has been dismissed; upholding the original Magistrates sentence of guilty. This was determined by the Crown Court cases (A20100344, A20100346) which ended on Tuesday 19th July 2011, following an adjournment due to their late submission of papers. This results in yet another criminal conviction for breaching planning consent despite many attempts by 'Lord' Houshang Jafari and his Rhino Group who under the directorship of his 'solicitor' John Mair keep transferring ownership to different companies. In their defence, many futile attacks were made on the local Snuff Mills Action Group (SMAG) whilst Bristol City Council has publicly acknowledged the ongoing concerns of the group and the wider public (see PDF).

Why Ancient Woodlands Matter

Now occupying only 1% of the land, ancient woodlands are all that remain of the original forests of Britain. They need extra protection as they grow on soils that have not been changed by agricultural activity and provide vital habitats for the survival of many species. Accordingly, natural regeneration is preferred. The following links explain why they matter so much for people, wildlife and our biodiversity: Forestry Commission (PDF); Royal Forestry Society; Wikipedia; Woodland Trust.

Photo : 8th April 2011

Village Green Hearing - 4th April 2011

As reported by BBC Bristol, the hearing will assess whether Grove Wood should become a Town or Village Green. This is being considered in order to protect the rights of local people who have enjoyed open access to the land for many generations, as well as securing this access for the future. An independent inspector will consider all the evidence and write a report to Bristol City Council. This is a public meeting so you are very welcome to attend. So far it has taken four days from 4th-7th April 2011, including a site visit, and has been adjourned for two further days to be announced. The outcome will be posted here once this information is in the public domain.
Photo : 26th February 2011

Free And Open Access Again!

All the cheap and nasty fencing which the landowner used to try to limit public access has magically disappeared, virtually returning the wood to its prior state. People can again enjoy a pleasant walk without having to navigate around unsightly pieces of metal, just as they could three years ago, so it's well worth visiting again.
Photo : 26th February 2011

Rhino Group Aim To Fell Three Trees And Install Two Portacabins

The solicitor John Mair (and apparent new director of the Rhino Group Ltd as landowner Houshang Jafari is currently in jail) has applied to fell three trees and install two portacabins in their place. This is again being done under the guise of operating a forestry and logging business whilst their real aim is to clear the wood for development. Read their rationale above or online and draw your own conclusions.

Landowner's Son Gets Abusive

What a farce! Instructed by the Environment Agency to remove a large willow, here we have the landowner's son Sajad Jafari (grey shirt) who is a miniature version of his father, the landowner's solicitor John Mair (white shirt) and a Bath contractor (green overalls) struggling to do a professional job with complete disregard for the public footpath. We often moan about excessive Health & Safety law but here is a classic example of why it is needed. Sajad must be the only son of a 'Lord' who mucks around in the dirt but what is a solicitor doing throwing logs around with this abusive character? Not surprisingly, he is registered at the same address linked with Jafari's other 'business' activities: Mr John David Mair, Lion Limited, 10 Marine Gardens, Glasgow, G51 1HH (see Law Society of Scotland).
Photo & video : 17th August 2010

Discarded Oil Containers

These huge industrial 25 litre containers full of used oil have been left in the wood, presumably by the driver of the Scania lorry.
Photo : 30th July 2010

Portacabin Removed

Amazing news! The portacabin was removed from the wood on 29th July 2010, just days before another court hearing. Hopefully the fencing will also be taken away and the landscape returned to its former state.
Photos : top 30th July 2010, bottom 29th July 2010

Contractors Destroy Deadwood Habitat

Under the guise of now operating a forestry business, Mr Jafari's contractor from Bath has sawn up deadwood habitat which is vital for bats and other creatures. No Protected Species Risk Assessments have been seen by campaigners despite this being arranged by a council officer. Surely this contractor has a reputation to uphold?
Photo : 17th July 2010

Landowner Jailed At Bristol Crown Court

In a separate matter, on 3rd August 2010 the 58 year old property developer Houshang Jafari was sentenced by Bristol Crown Court to 12 months in jail for endangering an aircraft. Apparently he got into a fit of rage when a helicopter landed on the shared lawn outside his luxury apartment at the Dower House overlooking Stoke Park. He punched and kicked the helicopter before throwing a carrier bag into its blades and destabilising it by grabbing a skid bar.
BBC report
Evening Post report
Photo : The Evening Post, 7th July 2010

Grove Wood Becomes A Local Nature Reserve

Bristol City Council unanimously declared Grove Wood a Local Nature Reserve at its Cabinet Meeting on Thursday 10th June 2010. This means the rights of the wildlife and the people who enjoy all the nature to be found here are protected for future generations. The Council are to be praised for taking such a decision in a poor economic climate. If the landowner does not agree to a management plan developed in liaison with Natural England and other groups, as has not happened to date, the woodland will be acquired via a compulsory purchase order and placed into public ownership. There were 79 supporting statements plus 26 late submissions from Begbrook School, versus a lone statement from the landowner's phony solicitor. So, no more rhinos, deer parks or ridiculous fantasies about its future! This woodland finally has the status it deserves.

Public statements - Public Forum, Item 9
Officer's report - PDF
Plenty of stories at the Evening Post

Large Trees Sawn Up For Logs

Despite it being nesting season when most landowners avoid any tree works, this one employs a contractor from Bath to chainsaw large trees that whilst fallen aren't completely dead. Besides, any deadwood is normally left to naturally decay in ancient woodlands as part of the important process of biodiversity. Luckily, local people intervened with a Council officer who arranged for Protected Species Risk Assessments to be completed. This unnecessary action is yet more evidence of a lack of good practice and plain ignorance.
Photo : 7th June 2010

Help Make Grove Wood A Local Nature Reserve

On Thursday June 10th from 4pm, Bristol City Council's Cabinet will be discussing whether Grove Wood should be declared a Local Nature Reserve and whether they should consider compulsory purchasing the woods to secure its future for wildlife and public enjoyment. A Local Nature Reserve designation would ensure the wood is properly managed for wildlife, public enjoyment and educational use - what people have been campaigning for since 2008. Please make your email personal and please mention anything that you feel would help make the Local Nature Reserve happen.

You can help make this happen by:
1) Emailing democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk no later than noon on Wednesday June 9th stating why you think the Council should declare an LNR and buy Grove Wood - the criteria for designation are below to help you write your email. title your email: Grove Wood - Cabinet Discussions or something similar.
2) Asking to speak at the Cabinet Meeting on June 10th - you need to request this in the email you send the Council.
3) Joining Snuff Mills Action Group outside the Council House on College Green on Thursday June 10th at 3.30pm to show how much you want this to happen - make and bring banners!

For a Local Nature Reserve to be declared, Grove Wood will have to fulfill these criteria:
1) It should be more than 2ha in size - it's at least 14ha we believe.
2) Capable of being managed with the conservation of nature and/or the maintenance of special opportunities for study, research or enjoyment of nature as the priority concern - it is an ancient woodland that could be managed for wildlife and over a hundred people have written statements to show that they use it for public enjoyment.

To become a LNR the woods should also be either:
a) Of high natural interest in the local context - An ecological report reveals rare plants, protected bats, otters and kingfishers, you could say what wildlife you have seen there in your email to the Council OR...
b) Of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for formal education or research or - We are in discussions with the Museum service about a big education project to compare Grove Wood with Snuff Mills to find out why they are so different, there is huge potential educational use in Grove Wood, but this cannot happen while it is in unsympathetic ownership OR...
c) Of some reasonable natural interest and of high value in the local context for the informal enjoyment of nature by the public - over 100 people have written evidence statements about their use of Grove Wood for legal sports and past-times as part of our application to have it declared a Town Green.

Legal Amendment Benefits Grove Wood

Click on the image for a larger version. Following a change in the law, any temporary works under the old permitted development rights (which involves movable structures like the portacabin here) will now need full planning approval. It's great the Council have been very proactive in communicating this to the landowner and the public.

Dangerous Metal Straps

Another rusty metal strap which was discarded in the wood following the delivery of fencing in July 2008. Others have been found beside the lower footpath and along the river bank.
Photo : 10th April 2010

Chainsaws Back In Grove Wood

As the saying goes, "there's no smoke without fire" and there's no sawdust without chainsaws. On Saturday 20th March 2010 the landowner visited the wood with two workmen who were presumably unaware of any restrictions - a familiar tactic of Mr Jafari's. Shortly after they started chainsawing live wood along the river bank they were stopped by local people. This appears to be a blatant contravention of the Woodland Tree Preservation Order and a deliberate disturbance of protected species, particularly the Kingfishers. Blimey, all this in addition to the ongoing court case regards not removing the ugly portacabin. Safe public ownership is surely the only way to preserve this woodland and its wildlife as an important natural resource for the citizens of Bristol.
Photos : 21st March 2010