What a week!

Last week battle lines were drawn and all sides of the 'Tesco at Ashton Gate' debate were preparing for a final push before Bristol City Council's planning committee meeting on 5 November. Well what a major change in such a short period of time.

$teve Lansdown and City decide that they want Sainsbury not Tesco for Ashton Gate. Planning meeting postponed and then the application is withdrawn. Planners recommend a 'yes' to the stadium but not all the housing that goes with the scheme. And BERATE decide its work is done and announce it is disbanding.

Simply Southville would like to pay tribute to BERATE and especially Chris and Tom who have given so much time to the campaign. BERATE wanted to stop Tesco and a third superstore in greater Bedminster. It did it.

We will have to see what the Sainsbury application brings and there will still be community concerns about traffic, pollution and the impact on local stores. Simply Southville will be watching! However, it has to be better than what was originally proposed by City and Tesco.

Will there be a BERATE2? Who knows?