Windmill Hill & Malago Community Planning Group (WHaM)

Dandara planning application now online

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.

Framework consultation –  by 13 January

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

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

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.

The draft framework is available online for comments to 13 January 2019.

a2Dominion consultation now online

Rollo Homes has sold Plot 1 (the Pring site) to a2Dominion. The self-described ‘residential property group with a social purpose’ has new plans which include student accommodation (in collaboration with the University of Bristol), homes for social rent and shared ownership accommodation. The 600+ flats will be in four separate high-rise blocks and include a mix of 1, 2 and (some) 3-bed homes.

A planning application is expected shortly: completion is scheduled for the 2021 student intake.

Draft plans are available online and comments can be emailed to claire.bartlett@a2dominion.co.uk

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!

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.

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.

WHaM has been supported by