Plan for ‘concrete canyon’ in front of Totterdown’s iconic view set to be refused

Controversial plans for more than 200 homes in blocks up to 11 storeys high near Temple Meads are set to be refused this week.

Bristol city councillors are being advised to reject the proposals for 221 flats, along with shops, cafes and public space, at the former Bart Ingredients factory on the corner of York Road and St Luke’s Road in Bedminster.

A report by planning officers says the application by Donard Homes, which is the first to come forward in the Mead Street regeneration area where the local authority has earmarked a new neighbourhood with 1,500 homes, says the design and living environment would be “poor”.

If development control committee members agree with the recommendation on Wednesday (August 24), it would mark the first victory for campaigners trying to protect the views of Totterdown’s famous coloured houses.

More than 5,000 people have now signed a petition set up by Totterdown Residents Environmental and Social Action group (TRESA) against “inappropriate” proposed tower blocks that would block the escarpment’s panorama at Pylle Hill.

These include the Bart Ingredients redevelopment at the western end of the Mead Street area, which comprises two 11-storey buildings and a third that is seven floors high, and a separate scheme for 900 homes including a 22-storey high-rise next to the railway line near Bath Road.

Both applications have been submitted despite the council’s hopes to coordinate the approach to regenerating 5.6 hectares of land from the Bath Bridge roundabout to the Banana Bridge and between the River Avon and the railway, whose principles were approved by cabinet this month.

The report to the planning committee says about 350 objections have been received to Donard’s plans, including concerns that they would look like a “concrete canyon, and would be soulless and an eyesore”.

This is despite the developer amending the designs last month to reduce the number of homes from 244 to 221, of which 30 per cent would be affordable, and lower one block by a storey to include a dormer level.

The committee report said: “It is not considered that a good quality scheme is proposed that would successfully deliver on the overall aspirations for the area.

“Officers acknowledge that the scheme will deliver identifiable benefits but have concluded that these will not outweigh the level of harm.

“The site would be the first in the Mead Street Development Brief area to come forward.

“As the area’s frontrunner, design excellence should be achieved that should set the standard for other sites in the area.

“Overall, it is considered that the quality of the living accommodation on this site would be compromised.

“The high proportion of single aspect flats would have limited outlook due to the height and proximity of the blocks within the scheme.

“Light levels within the properties would be limited, and they have increased energy demands placed on them due to the need to use electric lights and in some cases rely on mechanical ventilation.

“The height on the St Luke’s Road elevation is excessive, even in the revised form.”

It said occupiers would have a “poor living environment” and that the design quality was also poor.