Update on refused plans for affordable homes at Brislington eyesore

A decision is due on plans for nearly 150 affordable homes at a former clothing factory off Bath Road in Brislington following the completion of a planning inquiry, says the housing association behind the proposal.

Sovereign Housing Association unveiled plans four years ago for 146 homes at the eyesore site at 493-499 Bath Road, but a revised planning application was refused by Bristol City Council last year. However, the group then lodged an appeal and an planning inquiry took place in August and September.

Now, the group says it is waiting on the decision which could see the council’s refusal overturned and approval given for five blocks of flats up to seven storeys high on the site of the factory and a vacant plot behind.

Councillors had refused the plans on the grounds of an overreliance on electric heating for the residents, with three quarters of the homes designed to have electric heating, as opposed to heat pumps as required by council policy in new housing developments. They were also concerned that the flats offered insufficient light.

In response for an update on its ambitions for the site, James Gibson, development director at Sovereign told Bristol World: “Bristol City Council refused Sovereign’s planning application for a scheme of 146 affordable homes in March 2021. We appealed the decision and a hearing with the Planning Inspectorate took place throughout August and September. We are currently awaiting the outcome of this appeal.”

It comes as the group continues to work up plans for a new housing estate on the site of City Motors in Castle Court - less than a mile from 493-499 Bath Road - following a consultation earlier this year.

The scheme would see up to 370 homes with one apartment block being 20 storeys high, and half the homes being classed as affordable. But it has seen local opposition, including from the boss of City Motors, Robin Cook, who said he had no plans to move on from the site.

In an update on the project, Mr Gibson said changes were being made as a result of the consultation, and a planning application was due to be submitted after Christmas.

He said: “Earlier this year we carried out a public consultation on our plans for Castle Court. Following this consultation and further feedback from stakeholders, including the Council and Design West, we have been working through several changes to the proposals.

“As soon as these have been agreed, we will present the revised design for further public engagement later this year - with a view to submitting the application shortly after Christmas.”