‘Catastrophic’ homes plan for north Bristol attracts almost 200 objections

‘We’re not going to just give in’
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A total of 180 objections have now been lodged against plans to build 140 new homes in Horfield, after a resident action group ramped up their fight against what they warn will be a ‘catastrophic’ development.

Goram Homes want to build 140 apartments on a brownfield site behind Dovercourt Road, previously used as a compound by Network Rail and Bristol City Council, in a move they say will ‘breathe new life’ into the area.

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But residents living nearby say the proposals will actually have the opposite effect by squeezing GP and schools provision, flooding the area with pollution and creating more traffic issues on a road already plagued by accidents.

Dovercourt Road residents are opposed to a plan for 140 homes in their area.Dovercourt Road residents are opposed to a plan for 140 homes in their area.
Dovercourt Road residents are opposed to a plan for 140 homes in their area.

Since BristolWorld spoke to the group in February, they told us that minimal amendments have been made to the plans in light of their concerns, and they have been forced to take matters into their own hands by carrying out door-to-door visits.

Richard Dinham, a member of the group, said: “We set out to get more objections as they are the only thing that could make a difference.

The lane off Dovercourt Road which according to plans will serve as the main access route in and out of a development of 140 homes.The lane off Dovercourt Road which according to plans will serve as the main access route in and out of a development of 140 homes.
The lane off Dovercourt Road which according to plans will serve as the main access route in and out of a development of 140 homes.

“We also created our own leaflet spelling out exactly what the plans will mean. When the planning documents are just chucked on a website, they’re not very accessible, so we thought it would be helpful to do a summary.

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“With just four days to go before comments closed we were on about 90 objections, we’re now on 180.”

The group’s main qualm is that Goram Homes has earmarked a tiny lane as the main access route in and out of the development, which they say will not be able to cope with a surge in potentially hundreds of new residents and their vehicles.

But there are a myriad of other issues bothering which inclide increased traffic on Dovercourt Road, which already has a high accident rate and lost its only bus service, along with the height of the proposed apartment blocks which are ‘twice the size’ of the surrounding semi-detached properties.

“We had a meeting with a representative of Goram Homes last Friday,” added Rich, “but we still don’t feel that any of our concerns are being listened to.

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“Goram Homes are owned by Bristol City Council, which feels like a massive conflict of interest, and trust levels are at an all time low.

“The window for objections has now passed but we’re not going to just give in.”

BristolWorld has asked Goram Homes for comment.

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