Players and dog-walkers at a Bristol golf club could be ‘injured or possibly killed’ from falling trees and branches, according to new plans recently submitted. Each week Bristol City Council receives dozens of planning applications seeking permission for a whole range of developments.
Over the past seven days, those applications also included a different golf club that also wants to chop down 10 trees amid fears people could be hit by flying golf balls because they cannot see them coming, and the conversion of offices near Queen Square into 42 studio flats. Here’s this week’s round-up of notable planning applications submitted to the council. Every week dozens are validated by the local authority and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals.
All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public. Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications — whether in support or objection.
The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers. However, some will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees.
No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Bristol City Council’s website.
Ten dangerous trees at golf club
Henbury Golf Club has applied to fell 10 poplar trees between the first and second holes that could ‘kill’ anyone walking beneath them. In planning documents the club said: “Over the last six years many branches have fallen off these trees resulting in near misses to golfers and public.
“We have also had two of these trees snap in half which would have been catastrophic if anyone was in the vicinity. So from a health and safety perspective we believe that they need taking out before someone is injured or possibly killed.
“Golfers play regularly near/underneath them along with public walking their dogs.” It said the trees, which are not protected but are in a conservation area – which means planning permission is required to chop them down – would be replaced with a range of young birch, oak and cherry trees.
Ten dangerous trees at another golf club
Shirehampton Park Golf Club wants to axe 10 trees that are causing safety issues with flying golf balls. The National Trust, which owns the site and leases it to the club, supports the proposal. Two Scots pines which obstruct visibility across the course would be felled.
The club said in its application: “This lack of visibility creates a severe health and safety risk, as players are unable to see others in the vicinity. As a result, golfers may be unaware when it is necessary to alert others to flying golf balls, posing a danger to those nearby.”
Six overgrown ash trees which have “negatively impacted the playability of the 12th hole, particularly for our ladies’ section” would also be removed. The club said: “We are committed to fostering a fair and inclusive environment.
“Unfortunately, the overgrowth has created a disadvantage for our female players, as their teeing ground receives significantly less light than the men’s, resulting in poorer playing conditions. Additionally, the overgrowth affects visibility at the entrance used by staff members, compounding safety concerns.
“Golfers cannot clearly see whether other players, staff or members of the public are present, which poses a serious risk when golf shots are played.” It also wants to chop down two dead cherry trees which “pose an imminent health and safety risk due to their decaying condition”.
The club’s application said: “There is a significant risk of these trees falling, which could cause harm to anyone in the area.” Like with the Henbury club, the trees are not protected but are in a conservation area, and none of them are indigenous to the park.
Offices to apartments
Developers are claiming permitted development rights to convert offices near Queen Square into 42 studio flats. They are asking for prior approval for a change of use without having to go through a formal planning process for Armourers House in Queen Charlotte Street.
The application, by Corvette Rengen Armourers Ltd and AEW UK Core Plus Property Fund, is part of a bigger, “complex” redevelopment submitted which includes the 1980s office block, 3 Queen Square, 2 Little King Street. That wider scheme has been criticised as “invasive”, “overbearing” and “visually incongruous” by Bristol Civic Society and City Design Group.
The existing warehouse at 2 Little King Street would become offices and be integrated with the other two buildings, along with a two-storey roof extension of Armourers House. The property at 3 Queen Square is currently offices.