Bravas, Cotham Hill
Bravas has had to put in a second planning application (25/13723/F) for their outdoor seating area on Cotham Hill. We are very supportive of this popular and much-loved restaurant. George, along with Cllr Guy Poultney from neighbouring Cotham ward, has been working hard to help Bravas retain this structure which is so important for the future of their business.
We have “called in” the application so that elected councillors on the planning committee —rather than officers—will decide whether to approve it. The application has now received over 1,000 statements of support and goes to planning committee later this month.
However, even if the business is successful in getting planning permission, it still faces further hurdles—and potentially further licences to apply for—before it can be sure of its future. We are calling for enforcement action by the council to be delayed until a final decision is made.
Other businesses on Cotham Hill are facing the same challenges, but your local councillors in Clifton Down and Cotham will support our amazing local independent businesses every step of the way.
Home Gardens
Last September we also “called” in an application for two large blocks of 60 mostly one-bedroom flats at Home Gardens, a site at the top of Blackboy Hill next to The Vincent. This is the second application for this site as the last one, from a few years ago, was refused for a very similar scheme by the same applicant.
We visited the site and liaised on numerous occasions with residents at The Vincent and on St Vincents Hill who are very concerned about the impact of the proposed development on their lives.
To be clear, we and residents want to see this site redeveloped for housing, especially affordable housing. We all appreciate that there is a housing crisis in Bristol. But we feel the proposed development’s overbearing scale and massing and its impact would still be unacceptable. We are also worried about the proposed access for vehicles which would be through The Vincent car park.
A year on from ‘call-in’, the application went to committee last month with an officer recommendation for approval. Serena submitted a statement and spoke against the application on behalf of residents at committee. Most of the planning committee then voted against approval, and for deferring the application to the next meeting. The council officers will now work on reasons for refusal.
Former Tebbys garage site, Highland Square
An application (25/14113/PINS) has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate to redevelop the former Tebbys garage site on Highland Square. The proposed development is described as: ‘Demolition of buildings and clearance of site; redevelopment to provide a retained 4-bedroom HMO and 4no. self-contained flats (Use Class C3) within a two-storey building, with altered access and provision of refuse and cycle storage.’
The proposals look promising and in keeping with the conservation area. However, we have some queries about the HMO. As the application went to PINS, there have been limited opportunities to comment but we have been in touch to give our views.
Binning the bin
After many months of chasing, we have finally got a massive, unclaimed commercial waste bin removed from Melrose Place. This bin had blighted the area outside the Everyman cinema for far too long and had become a magnet for fly-tipping. Everyman managers asked for our help and we were very happy to step in.
So-fa a good cause
Some of you have been telling us that you are spotting furniture and other bulky items left out on pavements. We think this is because people are hoping someone else will take them. If you have large items you don’t want anymore, please book a collection instead through the council. All the details on how to do this are on the ‘Bulky household item collection’ council web page. Your old sofa and other things could help raise money for a good cause – Bristol Waste runs several Reuse Shops at recycling centres where big items in good condition like furniture, lamps and vacuum cleaners are sold and money raised for charities.
Councillor surgeries
Our next ward surgery is on Friday 3rd November from midday to 1:30 at Redland Library on Whiteladies Road.
In the meantime, you can get in touch by emailing us:
Serena Ralston: cllr.serena.ralston@bristol.gov.uk
George Calascione:cllr.george.calascione@bristol.gov.uk