Windmill Hill & Malago Community Planning Group (WHaM)

Bedminster Green Framework preview?

This drawing is part of Firmstone’s St Catherine’s planning application. It shows their plans for new blocks (pink) next to their refurbished old office block (brown).

The surrounding white blocks are other potential Bedminster Green developments: planning applications have not yet been submitted.

The white blocks include a development by Dandara on Plot 4 (Little Paradise): an 18-storey block of 340 flats for rent, a residents’ gym and 140 car parking spaces. Dandara is also working with Urbis on high-rise housing plans for Plot 5, the only Council-owned plot, next to the station.

Rollo Homes’ planning applications for 183 flats in two 6-10 storey blocks, and 32 affordable flats and an energy centre in a 6-7-storey block, are outside the area of the drawing. As is the NCP car park on which Deeley Freed are thought to be planning yet another block.

WHaM was promised a consultation on the Framework for Bedminster Green – but so far we have heard nothing from the Council.

200+ objections to St Catherine’s 22-storey block

This will be the new view from Alfred Rd if developers’ latest planning application goes ahead.

Firmstone has put in a planning application for a major retail, residential and commercial development in several new blocks next to the refurbished block on St Catherine’s Place.

The application includes no affordable housing and has been made before the agreement of a Framework Plan for Bedminster Green.

WHaM is co-ordinating a response – there have been over 200 objections from local residents already!

Urban Living SPD adopted by Council

Bedminster Green was highlighted as a location for high-rise housing in Bristol City Council’s draft Urban Living document. WHaM made comments on the draft and attended a consultation meeting in June 2018. It was clear that community reaction was decisively against high-rise buildings: you can read the responses received – 37% were from Bedminster residents!

The final version of Urban Living, adopted by the Council in November 2018, redefines a tall building as 10+ storeys. It states that a tall building should not be located where:

  • it hides or masks the topography of the city
  • it harms valued views from key vantage-points
  • it has a detrimental impact on the city’s historic environment
  • it has a significant negative impact on the amenity of nearby occupiers or on the public realm

Bedminster, along with the city centre, is named as an area with ‘significant potential for intensification’ and ‘optimising densities’. And we all know what that means . . .

Another energy centre?

Rollo Homes has made a further planning application for a 6-7 storey block of 32 affordable flats for rent and a gas-fired energy centre on Plot 1 (Malago Rd).

It is possible that the Framework for Bedminster Green will also include an energy centre. Representatives from the Council answered residents’ questions about different types of energy centre at our July meeting.

WHaM’s response to developers

As well as commenting on planning applications, attending meetings and keeping the community informed, WHaM has responded to developers with a Planning Brief, based on extensive community consultation:

What is WHaM?

  • WHaM is an open-membership group which provides a platform for residents, developers, Bristol City Council and other stakeholders to discuss planning proposals for the area. We are part of the Neighbourhood Planning Network.
  • WHaM welcomes development that prioritises community needs – we want to create a neighbourhood we can all feel positive about.
  • WHaM’s current priority is consulting on proposals for developments in the Bedminster Green framework area.

Find out who to contact with your views and how to get involved with WHaM.

 

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