Minutes of a committee meeting of Kingsdown Conservation Group
held on 10th March 2017
Members present: Andy King (chair) Helen Phillips, Pauline Allen, Richard Harrad, David Winter, Nick Kidwell, Jeremy Newick (minutes), Joel Baillie-Lane
Also present: Josh Brooman
Apologies: Nigel Tasker [emailed but not received]
The death of Charles Grant on 28th February, a longstanding and greatly valued member of the Group, the committee and the community, was noted, with considerable sorrow and regret.
Lorna and Paul Robinson had decided to stand down from the committee. Members expressed gratitude for and appreciation of their contribution over recent years. Lorna would continue her role as joint membership secretary.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
Matters arising:
17/00360/F, 6 Kingsdown Parade – JN had lodged a letter of support on behalf of the Group.
Arts and Social Sciences Library, Tyndall Avenue: AK had made initial steps with the aim of persuading the council to add the building to either the register of locally listed buildings or as an Unlisted Building of Merit in the Tyndall’s Park Conservation Area.
The stilt hedge on Montague Green had been cut by council operatives in February.
Agenda items:
Spring Hill: PA had proposed the Group should discuss the possibility of offering £3000 from KCG’s Spring Hill Fund, via Central Clifton and Hotwells Neighbourhood Partnership Environmental Sub-group, to help pay for the postulated replacement of the existing handrail on the steps of Spring Hill, below Dove Street. The steps are currently being repaired. It was possible that Section 106 money (from a nearby development on Dighton Street) may be available, together with additional funds from council allocation.
The virtues of maintaining the existing handrail as it stands were raised. It was felt that a quote of the cost of replacement should be established, before the notion could be discussed further. PA agreed to pursue such a quote.
The imminent closure of The Kingsdown Vaults on Kingsdown Parade: Evidently Cllr Anthony Negus had expressed a commitment to engineer an attempted transformation of the existing pub into a community asset and enterprise. JB-L would pursue Cllr Negus.
The United Bristol Hospital Trust Quarterly Community Meeting should be held shortly. Cllrs Kye Dudd and Paul Smith are reportedly opposed to the demolition of the block of flats on Eugene Street which would be incurred as collateral damage by the building of the proposed multi-storey car park.
NK and JB-L had attended a pre-application presentation of Unite’s scheme to redevelop the land between Lower Maudlin Street, Marlborough Street and Whitson Street. The proposal would most unfortunately demolish Paty’s BRI Old Building and Fripp’s Chapel. JB-L would draft a response.
The University of Bristol’s Consultation on Tyndall Avenue Public Realm: Alastair Gambles, NK, JB-L & JN had attended a meeting on 1st February.
JN had lodged a response on behalf of KCG with the Vice Chancellor, the Bursar and Avril Baker Associates.
UoB’s pre-application to privatise Tyndall Avenue: AK to forward the KCG response to the City Council.
AGM to be held at 7.00 for 7.30-10.00 at the Undercroft of St Matthew’s Church 27th April. Notices and agenda to be posted.
JB-L is to stand down as secretary at the AGM but wishes to remain a committee member.
St Michael’s on the Mount Without: A public meeting is to be held at the Wills Memorial Building at 6.00pm 6th April. All interested parties are welcome to attend. Discussion will include details of the Civic Society’s architectural competition to address the conundrum of the fate of the grade II* listed church, the main body of which was recently gutted by fire.
Next committee meeting: 1st June. Whereabouts to be arranged.