Subject: Planning
application (11/00516/F) in 9-11 Horton Street Bristol BS2 0LA
We
have discussed the planning application in Horton Street and we wish to submit
the following comments.
The
design proposed is acceptable because it conserves a building with character,
we have questioned if the choice of mixing Bath stone and wood on the top floor
is appropriate.
The
re-use of the building is appreciable, and it should be encouraged in this and
other applications to minimise the environmental impact.
Unfortunately
we feel that this is the right design at the wrong time and place because the
development of St Philip’s so far has not brought sufficient contribution to
the existing community and this particular planning application increases our
concerns on the overall situation of the area.
The
regeneration so far has created many small flats, unsold, years after
completion and many offices many still unoccupied. Residents within the
organisation believe that there is a lack of practical family orientated
accommodation and that the Council should take appropriate steps to ensure that
St Philips does not become predominantly a City Centre dormitory quarter or an
isolated business area. A complete re-thinking of the planning strategy for the
area between the Old Market and Temple Meads is needed to provide the roots for
a thriving and connected community.
The
number of small flats ( such as in the proposal) on the market in the immediate
neighbourhood is high and most of them have been advertised for several months
(some, even more than one year) so we think that an expansion in the number of
small flats is not necessary.
Parking
is one of the biggest cause of concern for local residents who requested us to
voice their concern. Most flats require a parking space (here we have got only
4 parking spaces for 7 flats) and the current policy of the Council has created
a negative impact on local communities (the Dings). In this case the proposed
development is close to a school and it is likely that an increased pressure
could also create road safety problems.
The
proposal does not make makes good use of the location close to Hannah Moore
School, which would benefit from having family size homes or local shops.
It
is also unclear, from the proposal, what the intended use of the rear storage
area is to be.
In
the area around Hannah Moore School more development sites should be found for
an expansion of the school or the provision of other community facilities as a
Nursery School (certainly required by the number of young couples living in the
area).
The
block contained within Midland Road, Jubilee Street, Horton Street and Louisa
Street is likely to need complete redevelopment in the next few years with some
sites having already received planning approval and other sites that are likely
to request consent soon. Opportunities should be searched so that the
development could be more harmonious and less dislocated.
We
think that this area requires more:
-
Family size homes
-
Large size commercial units (i.e. for a supermarket)
-
Community spaces and green areas
-
Safe and pleasant pedestrian routes
We
believe that this site would have a better destination: for examples it could
become a local supermarket or be used to expand the local educational
facilities.
