Eyesore ‘Pigeon roost’ set for a makeover after decade-long wait
A“DERELICT” building on Stapleton Road is set to be renovated after more than a decade of disuse. Plans have been submitted to convert the four-storey terraced home into two self-contained flats and a maisonette.
Bristol City Council has not yet approved the plans, which include a two storey rear extension. In the past few months construction company Direct Design and Build has begun to prepare the property, which had in recent years become a home to local pigeons.
Pigeons who frequented the abandoned building, next to a busy bus stop, were often seen flying in and out of the broken windows on the upper floors.
Previous attempts to convert the residential townhouse on 237 Staple- ton Road in 2006 and 2007 were unsuccessful.
Mr Daniel Singh of J and Z Investment Limited made two attempts to convert the building into eight studio apartments in 2006 and seven selfcontained flats in 2007 but they were refused due to a potential flood risk in the basement flat and concerns over storage of rubbish, among other concerns raised by the council at the time.
Mr Singh’s latest application, which was validated in May 2022, includes a proposal for a rear extension which is said to create additional space for refuse storage. While the existing structure consists of four separate flats, the proposal would reduce the number of separate units to three separate dwellings.
The property owner’s agent, James Banks of Alpha Planning and Development, outlines in the policy appraisal that the reduction in dwellings is in line with current Local Authority housing recommendations. Mr Banks
said: “The existing building is a midterrace residential property which has fallen out of use for longer than 10 years.
“As an integral part of the street scene and terrace its redundancy has negatively impacted the character of the street but also amenity of neighbouring occupiers whilst reducing the Bristol housing stock.
“The change of use of the property to decrease it by one residential unit whilst expanding internal floorspace in a sustainable way to meet current living standards complies with Core and Development Management Policy objectives adopted by the Local Authority.
“The scheme would renovate a derelict building whilst making a small contribution to the city’s housing stock in a sustainable location. It is considered that the application for this proposed development should, therefore, be approved.”