A former pub in Fishponds could soon become student flats with a decision on planning permission due next week. Developers want to turn the Old Tavern, on Blackberry Hill, into a two-storey block of flats with space for 33 students.
Christian Grant Properties is applying for planning permission from Bristol City Council for the development. The Grade-II listed Old Tavern was built in the 18th century, but shut down in 2018 and has been left empty since then, apart from being used by squatters.
Planning officers are recommending councillors on the development control A committee refuse permission on Wednesday, October 23. Almost 50 public objections were sent to the council, raising concerns about existing pressures with students, congestion and parking in the area.
The Bristol branch of the Campaign for Real Ale is objecting to the plans too. Writing to the council, a spokesman said that the University of the West of England campus opposite the pub will soon leave the site which will also be converted into housing.
A CAMRA spokesman said: “The population density of the neighbourhood has risen substantially in the last few years and is set to rise further with the conversion of the UWE campus. It will be more important for local residents to have somewhere to go and socialise than for further student accommodation in an area with no higher education establishments.”
In a report to the committee, a planning officer suggested refusal due to the lack of alternative pubs nearby. Planning rules attempt to preserve pubs as a crucial part of local communities, particularly if no other ones are within walking distance.
Another issue is parking, as more people living in the area would add to existing parking pressures. Green Councillor Lorraine Francis, representing Eastville, referred the application to the committee, saying she concurred with the objections of local residents.
In planning documents, architects representing the developers said: “It’s considered that given the site proximity to Glenside Campus and the current pressure on local housing stock for student accommodation, purpose-built student accommodation was the most appropriate use and would help relieve pressure on housing which is largely HMOs, particularly on Small Lane.
“It was also considered that the current layout of the former pub building lends itself to student accommodation with bar areas being able to be used as a communal common space with bedrooms upstairs in their existing current configuration, reducing the need for large amounts of demolition and division of the historic pub.”