Windmill Hill & Malago Community Planning Group (WHaM)

Councillors back the community

After a packed WHaM meeting on 11 June 2018, Councillors Lucy Whittle, Jon Wellington and Charlie Bolton have written directly to the Bedminster Green developers on behalf of the community. Suggesting that the developers ‘bring back proposals which are considerably lower in height’ their letter concludes: ‘From a purely practical point of view, you could achieve 80 plus percent of benefit and lose 80 plus percent of the opposition. But – actually – we think this development is just too big. Please think again.’

Little Paradise consultation – now online

South Bristol Voice image and text showing proposed blocks
Bedminster Green blocks from June’s South Bristol Voice

Dandara held a public consultation on proposals for Plot 4 (Little Paradise, next to St Catherine’s Place) in May 2018.

Plans include an 18-storey+ block and a total of 340 one- and two-bed flats for rent. The proposed density is a mind-boggling 700 units per hectare. Up to 20% of the flats will be ‘affordable’; a residents’ gym and 140 car parking spaces are also included.

Make your comments now before the planning application is submitted to the Council!

Another energy centre on Plot 1?

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).

A planning application for 183 flats on the same plot has still not been approved. WHaM continues to highlight community objections on a range of issues, including the mix of housing and a lack of associated infrastructure.

St Catherine’s Place consultation

Firmstone Consortia One, best known locally as the developer of Airpoint, is adding two storeys to the existing 7-storey building on Plot 2 to provide 54 1- and 2-bed flats. No affordable housing is included.

Now Firmstone is proposing to build a 21-storey+ tower block next to the existing building. The amount of affordable housing remains to be agreed. Shops, restaurants, a cinema and a gym are proposed for St Catherine’s shopping centre.

A a recent WHaM meeting, residents expressed fears that these proposals will set a precedent for other Bedminster Green developers.

Bedminster Green: a good location for high rise?

Bedminster Green is highlighted as a favoured location for high-rise housing in Bristol City Council’s Urban Living document (due to replace the current tall buildings policy). The new policies in the Urban Living and Local Plan documents will, if adopted, dramatically alter Bristol’s landscape over the next decades – in particular by increasing the amount of high-rise building. May’s South Bristol Voice highlights two campaigns that have already been started to campaign against the Mayor-led drive to build high-rise.

WHaM has submitted responses to both documents: consultation results are expected in June 2018. The Urban Living document is due to be adopted by the Council in September 2018. Further community consultation on the Local Plan is scheduled for October 2018 and a publication version will be agreed by March 2019.

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