Urgent call for south Bristol leisure park owners to meet public over closure plans

There appears to be a delay in plans to demolish large parts of Hengrove Leisure Park for up to 350 new homes
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A ward councillor is asking the owners of Hengrove Leisure Park to meet with the public after plans were approved to replace much of the site, including the cinema and bingo hall, more than a year ago.

Councillor Tim Kent wants AEW UK Core Property Fund to provide local residents with a planned timeline for the future of the leisure and retail facilities, which will eventually make way for up to 350 new homes.

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AEW received planning permission for the development at a council meeting in September 2021. At the meeting, one of the company’s executive directors told councillors that work was planned to start nine months later, in June last year.

But no work has yet commenced and Bristol World understands that the company is in the process of selling the site to a developer. When approached last week, AEW would not comment on the scheme.

The plan will see Cineworld, Buzz Bingo, Domino’s Pizza and the former Frankie & Benny’s restaurant demolished - but areas on the outskirts, including Costa Coffee and KFC and McDonald’s restaurants, the Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre’s Wessex Flyer pub, will remain.

Work on the development must start by March 2025 - which is when the approval notice expires.

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The development is one of a number of major housing schemes in the area. Goram Homes has plans for 1,435 homes at Hengrove Park while work is continuing on 261 homes at Urban Quarter, off Hengrove Promenade, by Tilia Homes.

Most of Hengrove Leisure Park will be replaced with houses under approved plans Most of Hengrove Leisure Park will be replaced with houses under approved plans
Most of Hengrove Leisure Park will be replaced with houses under approved plans

Last week, Bristol 24/7 reported that there were plans for a new permanent gypsy traveller site at the end of Western Drive, off the A4174 Hengrove Way - Bristol World understands this will be unveiled by the council next week.

Councillor Kent wants a representative of AEW to meet the public at a meeting he is arranging in March. He is also intending to invite the people behind other major housing developments in the area.

He said: “The Hengrove Leisure Park plan is going to cause massive disruption to the community and it is used by thousands of people. People deserve to know the time frames so they can plan their own lives accordingly.

Approved layout for the development at Hengrove Leisure ParkApproved layout for the development at Hengrove Leisure Park
Approved layout for the development at Hengrove Leisure Park
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“We also want to open the conversation up on the community facility and park designated for the scheme. These are important parts to the site which people should have a say on.”

As well as up to 350 new homes, the planning application for Hengrove Leisure Park will provide up to 1,500m2 of space for a range of uses, including a new home for Domino’s.

The meeting is planned for March 23, at 7pm, at St Augustine’s Church in Whitchurch.

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