There is to be a Public Inquiry at the Council house on 25th February where the developers, Opecprime Development will attempt to gain planning permission for an intensive development of the Carriageworks/ Westmoreland House. It seems local opposition to these plans is fairly universal.
Recently, Opecprime Developments submitted revised plans. These plans may be viewed here: http://prsc.org.uk/images/pdfs
Details of the public inquiry are below.
PUBLIC INQUIRY At The Council House, College Green, Bristol On Thursday, 25 February 2010 at 10.00 am
Appeals by Opecprime developments Limited. Relating to the refusal of application for residentially led mixed-use development at Westmoreland House, 104-106 Stokes Croft and 4 Ashley Road.
Appeal References: APP/Z0116/E/09/2113943 and APP/Z0116/E/09/2113942 Please take note that the Appellant has submitted revisions to the above scheme known as Revision “H” and will request that these revisions are taken into account when the appeal is determined by the Inspector.
Copies of the Revision “H” plans are available on the application file at the local planning authority’s office at Brunel House, St George’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5UY.
If you have any comments in relation to the Revision “H” changes please write to either the local planning authority or Collins & Coward Ltd, Westwood Park, London Road, Little Horkesley, Colchester Essex CO6 4BS. All representations should be received by the Council and/or Collins & Coward by 22 January 2010.
Please visit the following website to view the planning inspectorate letter regarding the Westmorland House appeal:
Can any one see what revisions these people have made to the plans? Too high, too many flats, no space opened to community, too many missed opportunities, but not too late to tell Opecprime to sling their hook.
Revision H still proposes far more vehicles from the site than can be accommodated on the already very busy junction of Ashley/Stokes Croft and Picton St. Most people in this area walk. Car use is anathema to us.
The revisions show no potential for community use. Worse, it still appears to be a gated community which cleary separates community residents from the lively street scene in the area. We don’t want people moving in who think they are superior to current residents.This is devisive.
If all these proposed housing units were to be for social housing at affordable rents with shared community facilities these plans may have a chance.
Only the other day I looked at that building and thought it could be turned into what people really need; affordable rented accommodation (admittedly, I was thinking about student accommodation – I mean, think about it. It’s on the UWE bus route, and within walking distance of The University of Bristol).
I think I preferred my idea to this one, not because it was my idea, but because students are much more willing to be part of Stokes Croft, even if it takes a while, a few visits to the Croft or Mackie’s (and even, controversially, CoExist) and students can and will integrate.
This proposal, however, is sunk back. It’s planned as an isolate capsule surrounded by Stokes Croft, not a part of it.
At to that end I direct planners here:
Cantle (2004) Community Cohesion: A Report of the Independent Review Team. [Online] Home Office Available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/independentreviewteam.pdf [Accessed 10 January 2010].
The Home Office’s official stance, according to this report is against character-changing gentrification…