THE CAMPAIGNS TO IMPROVE AND PROTECT TOTTERDOWN
SUPPORTED BY TRESAcic
TRESAcic gets many thanks and emails about the campaigns we run or support. Thank you. However, unless more of the Totterdown residents get involved, TRESA may not win every time. Add your voices to petitions, get along to meetings, join us and help support the campaigns directly. So, if you love this place like we do, then Totterdown needs your social action too. Also if know of an application that causes you concern let us know.
This is Totterdown and this is your home...
Save Bushy Park green space!
TRESA is concerned that the green in front of Totterdown’s old YMCA building (known as ‘Bushy Park’ or ‘Zone N’) has been identified for ‘disposal’ by Bristol City Council. TRESA would like to see this area retained as green space (and then, hopefully, improved). One way we may be able to ensure that the land is not sold off, and then turned into a car park or built on, is to register it as a Town Green. To do this we have to establish that it has been used ‘as of right, for lawful sports and pastimes’ (which includes picnicking, walking the dog, community events and activities etc) throughout the last 20 years.
We need evidence so if you use, or have used, Bushy Park/Zone N in the last 20 years please take some time to print off, complete and return our evidence form. Don’t worry if you can’t answer all the questions but please give us as much evidence as you can. The form needs to be signed and returned to TRESAcic as soon as possible. Please pop it into one of our post boxes (in Patco by the door, or the post office counter at Tesco). Download the evidence form here...
Thank you very much for your support.
Totterdown Shopping.
TRESA has long argued that that Totterdown should be supported as a local shopping centre and we were pleased that the conclusion of a recent retail survey report offers some hope to our community in retaining and increasing the amount of local independent shopping in Totterdown.
The report concludes "Overall the collection of shops, services and
other facilities along Wells Road in Totterdown
provides, in our opinion, an important
destination and focus for the local community.
A varied range of uses are present although
the centre focuses upon the provision of a large
number of service uses and convenience/food
provision. Whilst this area does not attract a
high proportion of visits from the local population, which is understandable given the
lack of a large banker retailer, the area is nevertheless popular with the local
community and its choice/range of niche/independent shops is a key positive aspect.
We support the decision of the City Council who identify this area as a defined centre
within the retail hierarchy in south Bristol and we consider that efforts should be made
to protect and enhance its contribution to serving the local community. A key area of
focus will be reducing the number of vacant units."
To see a pdf of a recent slideshow of the report findings presented at our 2010 AGM please click here... (2.60Mb)
New planning applications.
Site of Sabre Service Station, 122 Bath Road. TRESAcic has been contacted about pre-application enquiry No. 10/01528 to construct 12 town houses on this garage site. We have no further information at the moment but will keep you informed, or you may prefer to contact the applicant directly through chris.dance@lpctrull.com
Updated: Strategic Waste Management Facility not to go ahead.
There were proposals to build a very large waste management facility on Totterdown's doorstep in Albert Road. The Environmental Resources Management / West of England Partnership were recommending the site (currently occupied by W.H.White waste transfer) be considered for the building of a huge waste facility that could include an heat incinerator. It recommended the site as there is expansion possible into the SITA bin and truck depot next door. TRESAcic were approached by local residents and the owners of the Fruit Market to highlight and campaign against these proposals.
At the public meeting on 8th July 2009, organised by Wholesale Fruit Centre in Albert Road, there was strong local opposition to the proposals. There would be increased smoke emissions across St Anne's, Barton Hill, St George and probably as far as Kingswood. Concerns were also raised about the increase in traffic in the area and comtamination of the food at the well established fruit market. Philip Horner represented TRESAcic and spoke about the concerns from the residents of Totterdown.
Any new development would have needed to have planning permission from Bristol City Council, if the site was confirmed as a possible site. Bristol cabinet councillor Gary Hopkins, who is in charge of the city's waste strategy and is against large-scale incinerators, said: "This is not a sensible place for something like this. "I think it is extremely unlikely that it will be acceptable."
Success Update: Jan 2010 West of England - Progress Update January 2010
Joint Waste Core Strategy Pre-Submission Document: Site allocation process
JWCS have published further information on Albert Road that has not been allocated as a location for residual waste management facilities in the West of England Joint Waste Core Strategy:
Allmead Recycling Depot (Site IS4) (External link: click on 5a to download the update.)
TRESAcic extends its thanks to Philip for all his efforts on this campaign.
Why TRESAcic opposed the Bath Road Tower Block Development and WON!
Appeal Decision: Dismissed! Thanks to....
Mr G Davis, Dr Jonathan Williams, Philip Horner, Martyn Trowbridge, Sarah Zastava and councillor, Mark Bailey, who attended the public enquiry to present the views of TRESAcic on behalf of the residents and helped protect the long term interests of Totterdown. Also thanks to Allan Keen for printing the large scale photographs to illustrate our key points.
The Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal by the developers against Bristol City Council's original rejection of the planning application.
What was is it?
The plans proposed an '11 story block of flats' on the site of the old Esso garage at Totterdown Bridge. It was actually a 12 storey building as the top part was a double height section, for the lift mechanics, that slanted downward to the '11th storey'. It included 3 other smaller blocks along the Bath Road as far as the current Paintworks development. Click here for the plans...
What had happened?
The plans were rejected by Bristol City Council on the 02/07/08. The decision was made on five key points:
1. The 'excessive bulk' of the development that would be 'incongruous and out of character' of the area. Namely the Totterdown escarpment.
2. It is a poor amenity area close to two small waste transfer sites. The noise levels and associated dirt are a constant source of complaints from the current residents of the area. The development would be even closer to these sites.
3. Failure in the plans to link an extended riverside development except 'via convoluted route' to the current roads and paths in the area.
4. The proprosal fails to supply 'adequate affordable housing' which must be part of all new residential developments.
5.Failure to apply funds under Section 106 to 'off-site recreational activities, education, libraries, public art and off-site highways and transport improvements.'
Read the original judgement in full here...
Why we opposed this development?
TRESAcic felt that this development was not in the interest of the community of Totterdown, particulary on point 1 of the original rejection. TRESAcic were not opposed to the development of the area for housing or other development such as Paintworks. The 'excessive bulk' of the buildings was an issue; note that the other planned blocks were at least of a sensible height because they overlooked the current housing on the Bath Rd. Block 1 (the 11/12 storey building) was, we believe, an attempt to make as much money as possible by cramming in as many residences into a small area. Under the Tall Buildings Policy in Bristol, such a tall building should not be placed where there are no other tall buildings. The view to and from Totterdown would have been impacted by this development. If this building had gone ahead there would be little to stop future developers putting up equally tall buildings on the other side of road from Totterdown Bridge all the way down to the currently undeveloped 'arena' site. TRESAcic also argued that the plans did not reflect the current or historical height of buildings in this iconic part of the city.
The developers made some concessions on point 3 of the rejection but we felt that the links would only benefit the residents of the development and not improve access to or benefit Totterdown as a whole.
TRESAcic opposed again the appeal on points 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the original rejection at the Public Enquiry on 18th March 2009 at Bristol City Council Offices.
The full report on the Planning Inspectorate website and the final Appeal Decision can be found here...
Planning Issues
We live in a vibrant, thriving city, so it is only natural that from time to time developments are planned and the area changes. Before any significant change (for example a new building) can take place, Bristol City Council (BCC) has to grant permission. They are obliged to seek the opinions of immediate neighbours, but not to necessarily survey the entire neighbourhood. If you spot something the Totterdown community should know about, let us know about it too.
The advent of web technology has made it much easier to find out what is being planned in your area. We have found three sites particularly useful.
Planning Finder allows you to register your e-mail address and the postcodes you are interested in and receive feeds of applications as they arise. It is best used in conjunction with the council planning portal to ensure information is up to date.
Bristol City Council's mapping system is a useful resource for finding out facilities and activities near to any postcode in Bristol. BCC also run a planning portal site to interface with planning activities.
As a general rule, TRESAcic opposes conversion of houses into flats, of shops into residential dwellings and any developments that will be detrimental to the built environment.