Windmill Hill & Malago Community Planning Group (WHaM)

Little Paradise – comments by 20/2/19

Dandara has made a planning application for Plot 4 (Little Paradise). Proposals include 329 flats for rent to private tenants, a gym, a concierge and residents lounge. The height of the blocks ranges from 4 to 17 storeys.

A small percentage of the 69 studio flats, 171 1-bed flats and 90 2-bed flats will be offered at ‘Affordable Private Rent’ (20% below market rent). Eighty-four parking spaces and 358 cycle spaces are included.

Dandara is also working with Urbis on high-rise housing plans for Plot 5, the Council-owned plot next to the station.

• See Dandara’s planning application and make your comments
• Read Dandara’s ‘response to community feedback’ (PDF)

Malago Rd – comments by 27/2/19

Rollo Homes has sold Plot 1 (Malago Rd) to a2Dominion. The self-described ‘residential property group with a social purpose’ has now submitted a planning application for student accommodation (in collaboration with the University of Bristol) and homes for social rent.

The application includes accommodation for 550 students in six blocks (8 to 10 storeys) and 49 units of affordable housing (100% social rented) in a further block (10 storeys rising to 12 storeys). Four disabled car parking spaces, 163 cycle spaces and 2 drop-off areas are also included. Completion is scheduled for the 2021 student intake.

• See a2Domininion’s planning application and make your comments

Bedminster Green Framework responses

A draft framework for Bedminster Green has been produced by Nash Partnership.

The framework is scheduled for approval by Bristol City Council in March 2019 and must be agreed before planning applications for each site are considered.

Nearly 150 comments have been made so far. WHaM has particular concerns about the vagueness of the definitions, the removal of access to Windmill Hill from Whitehouse Lane and the lack of prior consultation.

Bristol Civic Society states that “The public interest requires a consortium to carry forward the work begun by the Nash Partnership to integrate the Bedminster Green development with the East Bedminster town centre. There should be a public/private partnership as there is with the Kings Cross redevelopment in London.”

• See the draft Framework
• Read WHaM’s full response (PDF)
• See Bristol Civic Society response (PDF)
• Revealed: Plans that break developers’ own guidelines

200+ objections to 22-storey block

This will be the 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 (Plot 2).

The application includes no affordable housing and has been made before the draft framework is agreed.

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

• See the planning application and make your comments now
• Read more about the proposed developments and see the plans (PDF)
• A landmark that will help to revive Bedminster – or a monstrosity that will deface it?

Urban Living SPD agreed by council

The final version of Urban Living was adopted by the Council in November 2018. Bedminster is named as an area with ‘significant potential for intensification’ and ‘optimising densities’.

Urban Living states that a tall building (10+ storeys) should not be located where it:

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

Community reaction to the draft version was decisively against high-rise buildings but, although 37% of comments were from Bedminster residents, this is not reflected in the final document.

• Read the final version of the Urban Living SPD
• Read WHaM’s comments on the draft Urban Living document (PDF)
• Read Cllr Jon Wellington’s comments on the Urban Living SPD

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:

• Download WHaM’s Community Planning Brief (PDF)
• Read our guide to making an effective comment on a planning application
• Find out more about developers’ proposals for Bedminster Green

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.

WHaM has been supported by