Category: News

After more than 100 years peacocks are set to return to Sea Mills recreation ground. The brightly coloured birds were a common sight in the area in the early 1900’s. Philip Napier-Miles the former owner of Kingsweston House used the fields around his property to breed them.

Peacocks have been absent from the area since 1919 when the land was sold to the Bristol Corporation to build much needed housing for soldiers returning from WW1. The area now taken up by Sea Mills Recreation Ground, known locally as “The Rec” would have originally housed the birds.

Peacocks are soon to be seen on the Rec again due to a generous donation from Bristol Zoo resulting from the closure of their Clifton site. Rather than relocate the resident peacocks Derek and Percy to the Wild Place near Cribbs Causeway, they will instead be brought to Sea Mills Rec. A replica of the original Napier Mills peacock house will be created next to the Shire Colts changing rooms. The birds will be enclosed at night but during the day they will be given the freedom of the Rec.

The initial costs of providing accomodation for the birds will be met by the zoo but ongoing feed costs will be provided by local residents. This will be via a £50 a year peacock charge to those households on St Edyth’s Road, Woodleaze, Sylvan Way and Shirehampton road which overlook the Rec. Those residents will have exclusive rights to any feathers which are dropped by the birds and be allowed to sell them on at a profit.

Please say NO to the mast in this location

Last year, Bristol City Council planners rejected plans for an 18 metre 5G mast and large cabinets on Sea Mills Square. This decision is now going to appeal with the Planning Inspectorate. Those who have commented on the planning proposal previously will have their comments sent on to the Planning Inspector. 

We would also urge people to write again or write for the first time to respond to the mobile operator’s appeal and to show the Planning Inspector that there continue to be strong feelings about the position of this mast. 

Whilst we recognise the need for 5G in the area and welcome more coverage, we are against the siting of this particular mast, which will be approximately 3 metres taller than the Addison Oak (approximately 15 metres tall to the top of the crown).

This mast particularly concerns Sea Mills 100 because of the damage it will do to the appearance of the Square. Also it’s proximity to Addison’s Oak and our phone box museum.

Comments must be received by 21 February 2022, Sea Mills and Coombe Dingle Together have prepared this simple downloadable guide to help you make your comment and the kind of things you could say. There’s no need to write a long response, a paragraph or two is plenty. All the contact details and links you need are also in the guide.