Development concerns raised as hotel given the green light
THE green light has been given for an apartment-hotel near the Christmas Steps which locals say is squeezed into a tiny yard. Developers want to build 19 serviced apartments and an eight-bedroom shared house in Colston Yard, despite concerns about access to the site.
Offices at Colston Yard will be converted after Bristol City Council gave planning permission for the scheme on Wednesday. Access to the accommodation will be through Johnny Ball Lane and Colston Street, raising concerns about chaos during construction.
Planning officers recommended the committee approve the scheme, but transport planners at the coun- cil warned of the potential problems with access. Construction vehicles would take up several spaces on the streets nearby while the building works take place.
Speaking at the development control A committee on Wednesday, Rob David, who runs a local studio, said: “The appeal is the tucked away nature of the yard. It’s peaceful but central, busy but respectable. That’s why it’s a great place to work. I co-run a recording studio in Colston Yard.
“Although we’ve made great efforts to soundproof the space, noise that would be created by the construction of a huge building like this would be almost impossible to avoid. I’m not against development, but I feel this is an oversized project and needs to be scaled back.”
Local businesses and residents in the area warned the council they would be massively disrupted during the construction.
Erica Dubuisson, a local shop owner, said: “Council reports said local businesses would be supported by a rate reduction, but I don’t pay rates nor do most of the businesses that will be affected. So we won’t have any support and we will close. Most dwellings in the area are currently occupied by long term residents who make a strong, supportive community.”
Colin Pemble, representing the developers, said: “It’s an interesting site, it’s unusual and constrained, and there are challenges. It’s not ideal but we can make it accessible.” Some councillors wanted to defer the scheme until they received more information on transport upgrades. But the vote on granting permission was tied, with three councillors voting in favour, three against, and one abstaining. Chair of the committee Cllr Richard Eddy used his power to give the casting vote, approving planning permission for the scheme. Cllr Eddy said: “Of course, there are major implications to this. We need to have a very robust construction plan.”