Housing Plans for 109 homes near cemetery backed
PLANS for 109 homes on derelict land opposite Arnos Vale cemetery have been approved despite objections from residents and developers of the neighbouring Paintworks.
Bristol city councillors voted unanimously to grant permission for the flats in blocks between four and six storeys in Bath Road, next to Majestic Wines.
Arnos Vale Residents Association and Verve Properties, which created the adjoining creative quarter in Totterdown, were among 34 objectors over three rounds of consultation.
There were also concerns that only 15 per cent of the properties would be affordable housing – half of that required by council policy in the area.
But members heard applicants Vistry, which teamed up with the local authority’s housing firm Goram Homes for the Romney House development and is behind the Blackberry Hill and City Gateway schemes, was promising 50 per cent affordable with grant funding.
And it had made several changes to the proposals to overcome council officers’ objections, including installing a double bus layby on the A4 Bath Road to improve traffic and pedestrian safety and reducing both the buildings’ heights and the number and density of apartments.
Vistry Partnerships director Ronny Popat told Bristol City Council development control committee: “Our proposals at 345 Bath Road would regenerate this derelict, brownfield site into 109 high-quality homes, making an important contribution in tackling Bristol’s housing crisis.
“Our expert report has confirmed that 15 per cent affordable is viable on this site, however, we will go well beyond this and deliver 50 per cent in partnership with Abri.”
He said the location was sustainable with excellent public transport and active travel links, with building work set to start in the spring.
But Verve director Ashley Nicholson said: “City council members and officers have considered Paintworks to be an exemplar in its design and mixeduse sustainability credentials so we are disappointed this abutting site is being recommended for approval without the same level of scrutiny.
“It will be perceived as being part of Paintworks and as such we are concerned and protective of what we have built over the last 20 years.”
A report to councillors said: “Officers have provided a great deal of advice and it is now felt that the applicant has adequately responded to concerns that have been raised.”
Committee chairman Cllr Richard Eddy said: “This is precisely the sort of derelict brownfield site that would help us address Bristol’s housing crisis.
“Fifty per cent of 109 homes as affordable housing is a remarkably high figure.”
He said the applicant had changed the scheme considerably over the past two years.
“They have met our concerns about putting in the bus layby, so pedestrian and vehicular safety should be addressed, so it certainly seems an excellent scheme,” Cllr Eddy said.
He said officers had taken a sensible approach in recommending a viability review of the affordable housing numbers once the first residents move in.
“This is an organisation which is working closely with Goram Homes, our own housing company, and has already submitted three acceptable schemes before this,” Cllr Eddy said.
“Their credibility is very much tied up with delivering this.
“So I don’t have any hesitation in voting for this.”