Plans approved to knock down factory in east Bristol and build 68 new homes
Plans have been approved to knock down a concrete factory in east Bristol and build 68 new homes. The flats will be split over five blocks between three and four storeys tall, with riverside views in St George.
Councillors voted to grant planning permission to Woodstock Homes for the demolition of Concrete Fabrication Limited, on Blackswarth Road next to the River Avon, during a meeting of the development control B committee on Wednesday, January 29.
But planning officers at Bristol City Council still need to negotiate about the details of flood defences, before permission will actually be given. The apartments will have either one or two bedrooms, and 44 car parking spaces will be provided.
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Kit Stokes, a planning agent representing Woodstock Homes, said: “We’ve been pushed hard and delivered on some key changes. I don’t feel the design of the scheme has been quick, but it’s been very thorough.”
The development originally included building 85 homes, but after negotiating with council planning officers, the developers will now build fewer new homes instead. This was to address road safety concerns and to reduce the height of the tallest buildings from six storeys to four.
None of the homes would be "affordable", unless Woodstock partners with a housing association. A viability assessment found the developers wouldn’t make enough profit if they sold any of the flats as “affordable” housing.
Green Councillor Rob Bryher, representing St George West, added: “At the moment it’s zero per cent affordable housing, and could be as much as 100 per cent. But the gentle density we like to see is present, and they have drastically changed the designs since the initial proposals for the better.
“They have put in a safer crossing as part of the agreement. I do think some of the benefits that come from this scheme are definitely going to be popular in the local area. Despite a number of residents objecting to the height of the buildings, they fit with the principles we need for good development in the city. There are some drawbacks, but on the whole it’s a good development.”
An embankment will be built along the southern edge of the site, to protect from floods. The Environment Agency is objecting to the plans due to the flood risk. Blackswarth Road will see traffic calming measures, a wider pavement and upgrading streetlights. The towpath running along the river will also be widened, from 2.5 metres currently to four metres.
Councillors on the committee voted unanimously to approve planning permission. Labour Cllr Fabian Breckels said: “We need the housing, we’re potentially going to get some new flood defences in the area. That bit of Bristol isn’t linked to much in the way of public transport, which would explain slightly more car parking than you would expect elsewhere.”