Plans have been approved for 252 new homes on a former Bristol packaging factory site described as an “ideal scheme”. Most of the homes will be between two and three storeys, with some apartments in four-storey buildings.
The homes will be built in Hillfields, where Graphic Packaging International was based on Filwood Road. The firm recently relocated to Yate. 22 per cent of the homes will be classed as affordable, with three quarters of these for social rent and a quarter shared ownership.
But there are lingering concerns about the lack of healthcare services in the area, as well as extra pressure on the roads. Councillors on the development control committee A voted unanimously to grant planning permission on Wednesday, December 4.
Martin Sheppard, general manager of Graphic Packaging, said: “Graphic Packaging is a great Bristol company which has employed generations of local people over the last century. Due to the age of our Fishponds site and modern production needs, after a 15-year search we finally moved to our new production plant in Yate. This has been transformative.
“We’ve already employed 100 more staff, promoted 32 and started 11 apprenticeships. During the planning process we did not push for density or height, because we want this to be a fantastic place for local people to live and enjoy. I want this development to be a place my grandchildren may live one day, and be a legacy we can all be proud of.”
The firm will likely now sell the site to a housing developer. The plans include 190 square metres of floorspace that could be used for healthcare, such as a pharmacy. Local NHS bosses however have already said that would be too small for a new GP surgery.
Labour Councillor Ellie King, representing Hillfields, said: “This is an ideal brownfield development site. This relieves pressure on our greenfield sites and it’s exactly the prime location for development. It’ll bring new greenery, hedges and trees and pocket parks.”
She added that public transport in the area needs upgrading, and hoped that some of the development could be used for healthcare. Hillfields has just one bus service that runs every 30 minutes, and takes a long time to get into the centre as it follows a winding route through the estate. Another councillor described challenges cycling through the area as “carmageddon”.
One issue is the two other adjacent industrial sites, which are also planned for housing developments. Locals urged the council to bring forward a masterplan for the three sites, collectively known as Atlas Place, particularly with changes to the road network, and amid fears the other schemes will include much taller buildings. Over 2,000 homes could be built in total.
The other two sites in Atlas Place are the Castel Ltd site on Goodneston Road, and Central Fishponds Ltd site including the industrial buildings north of Filwood Road around Verona House. A masterplan would guide developers on issues such as height, design and transport.
Conservative Cllr Richard Eddy said: “It’s as rare as hen’s teeth to receive an application like this for demolition and quite significant regeneration and not receive a baying public gallery of opposition. Graphic Packaging have not been greedy, they came forward with a positive scheme of two-storey residential development, which allows for 22 per cent affordable housing.
“This is a 100 per cent good news story. In my view this is an ideal scheme for local people.”