Plans by a developer to construct what could be the tallest building in South Bristol have been met with resistance from local residents, who are concerned about its potential impact on views from a nearby park. The Galliard Apsley Partnership has initiated the formal process of seeking planning permission for a series of tower blocks on part of a large industrial estate in Bedminster, located at the base of Victoria Park’s hill.
Savills, the developers’ agent, has submitted a formal request to Bristol City Council to determine whether a full environmental impact assessment is required before submitting a comprehensive planning application for the development. The proposed project includes up to 460 new build-to-rent flats and a purpose-built student accommodation block that could house up to 420 students.
However, one potential issue that an environmental impact assessment may need to address is the effect on the panoramic views across Bristol from Victoria Park. The site is directly opposite the railway line from the base of Victoria Park, with park visitors at the top enjoying sweeping views across the city centre and beyond.
Before Christmas, Bristol Live unveiled Galliard Apsley’s plans for a multi-building development, with the tallest structure – intended to house students – reaching 21 storeys. This project marks the first step in a broader initiative to construct much-needed new homes in Bedminster’s light industrial area, nestled between the railway line and the River Avon.
With potential developments in the Whitehouse Lane and Mead Street areas across St Luke’s Road, up to 3,500 new homes could be built in the coming years, predominantly flats within tall buildings. Currently, the highest building south of the river in Bristol is Northfield House, located on Catherine Mead Street in Bedminster.
Erected in 1969, this 18-storey or 52-metre high structure is the city’s tallest block of council flats. However, despite initial plans presented to locals in early December suggesting a 21-storey student block, the planning request submitted to City Hall this week indicates the tallest building in the new development would be 19 storeys.
The Totterdown Residents Environmental and Social Action group (TRESA) have lodged an objection to the developer’s claim that an environmental impact assessment for the tower blocks is unnecessary.
A spokesperson for Savills told council officers: “The height, scale and massing of the scheme has been developed to reduce its visual impact on the townscape,” and further explained that tall buildings are a feature of the ‘Whitehouse Lane Regeneration Framework’, a strategy devised by the previous Labour administration as a blueprint for transforming the area between Victoria Park and the River Avon. They also mentioned that the effect of the tall buildings on views from Victoria Park would be considered during the planning application process.
“Given the urban setting, it is considered that the proposed development can be accommodated within the local townscape with appropriate design and massing measures,” they said, adding, “The potential effects are not considered to be of a significant level that would warrant an Environmental Impact Assessment.”
However, a representative from TRESA said: “We strongly disagree. ” They added: “The 21-storey tower is totally unacceptable. It is massively over-sized for this area and will create an overbearing tower block that dominates the surroundings and adversely impacts the skyline.”
Council planning officers are set to determine the necessity of an Environmental Impact Assessment before the developers lodge their comprehensive planning application later in the year.
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