A digital advertising screen could be installed in east Bristol under 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 replacing a pizza takeaway in Fishponds with a new bar, and dredging part of the Floating Harbour. 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.
New digital advertising screen
A new digital advertising screen could be installed in St Philips. Replacing traditional “paper and paste” billboards on Albert Crescent, the plans have already attracted objections from members of the public.
Writing to the council, one objector said: “The proposed billboard will be readily visible from the existing and proposed high rise elements of the Paintworks residential buildings across the river Avon. The distracting screen, changing image every ten seconds, will draw attention to itself and spoil the view the residents have of the city.
“This will be particularly true at night. The proposed billboard faces traffic approaching the roundabout from the east in Albert Road. Having frequently changing, deliberately distracting, images projected onto drivers as they negotiate the roundabout with its very varied traffic, from articulated vehicles to cycles and scooters, would be creating an unnecessary safety hazard.”
Planning agents representing the landowners, Wildstone Estates Limited, said the digital billboard would be a boon to biodiversity, leading to fewer vehicle trips to replace the paper posters, while benefiting local businesses too. They also offered the council free advertising.
Bar replacing Pizza Hut
A new bar could replace a Pizza Hut takeaway on Fishponds Road in Fishponds, opposite the Lidl supermarket. The plans include a seating area, office and a small kitchen. It’s unclear from the planning documents what sort of bar would open on the premises.
One member of the public is objecting to the plans, as they claim there are too many restaurants and pubs in Fishponds. Writing to the council, they said: “There is already an excessive number of licensed eateries as well as pubs in Fishponds, to justify one of the magnitude proposed in this planning application.”
Another member of the public however is supporting them. They said: “I support the application given the need to reutilise existing buildings for business, especially those that have been closed a significant amount of time, and create jobs.”
Dredging in the Floating Harbour
Part of the Floating Harbour near Castle Park could be dredged. Plans include removing 25 cubic metres of sediment and silt next to Georges Square, in order to create a suitable foundation to install a water source heat pump. A licence is needed under the Marine and Coastal Access Act.
Three trees chopped down
Three trees could be chopped down in Sneyd Park. A chestnut, sallow and holm oak on Goodeve Road are the subject of tree preservation orders, but the landowner has applied for permission to fell them. Neighbours living nearby have been notified about the plans.
The chestnut tree is “too close to a drive and cars”, while the sallow has sparked concerns over the risk of future subsidence. The oak previously had permission to be chopped down, but this was time limited and the permission has now elapsed.