Saturday, May 17, 2008
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LARKS IN THE CAR PARK AT GREEN PICNIC

By Richard Wright - Friday, May 9, 2008
PLANS for the Big Green Picnic have turned into an asphalt jungle, critics said this week.
They have pointed to the event, designed to underline Eco-Island credentials, being switched from Church Litten to County Hall’s car park — a decision defended by the IW Council.
Critics said when it became clear Litten Park could not be used because of the danger of further collapse of some of the 3,200 graves in the former churchyard, the council should have looked for an alternative park — not a tarmac car park.
In an e-mail to all 48 councillors, Cllr Melanie Swan said Nine Acres Field was the ideal venue and Cllr Peter Humber put forward Seaclose, saying several residents did not approve of the car park venue.
Cllr Swan said: “Nine Acres is within a residential area and would have been ideal, being only a five or ten-minute walk from Church Litten and with spectacular views across Newport and the River Medina.
“Visitors living outside the town could have caught a bus to Newport and there could have been park and ride from the town car parks.
“It really is a shame and a crazy way to make a decision. Members were not even asked for their ideas. To hold such an event in a car park sends the wrong message.”
The council said the venue was chosen after careful consideration because of ease of access from discounted buses and the cycleway and the location was adjacent to Quay Arts, which was involved.
“The aim of Eco-Island is to raise awareness of sustainability across the Island and looking after and enjoying the built environment as well as the countryside.
“Much work will be done to transform the car park into a more ‘conventional’ picnic area. Picnic benches and hay bales will be provided and a bowling green carpet, that was to be thrown away by its former owners, has been rescued to be used as surfacing.”
Big Green Picnic is being held over the weekend of May 24 and 25, when organisations will be showcasing various ways to make the Island green.