Kingsdown Conservation Group

Some of the matters discussed by the Committee at their October meeting:

• University Library. We oppose the inclusion of the large library and its public realm surroundings in a single planning application. We strongly oppose the road closures, but not the proposed library itself.
• Hospital Car Park. Following Refusal, the applicant is going to Appeal (Informal hearing 21^st Jan).
• Laundrette. The owner’s eligibility for small business rates appears to be sound. Next move to be discussed
• 12E Alfred Place. Follow up Enforcement notice for removal of unauthorised roof extension.
• Discussed bike racks near Kingsdown Vault for the use of pub users
• the group supports David Mellor’s initiative to get the ban lifted on Cotham School children using the shops in Cotham Road South.

Kingdown Conservation Group was deeply opposed to the BRI’s proposal to demolish thirty-six flats, and an appropriately-scaled multi-storey car park, in order to build a single monstrous multi-storey car park. 
The application to do so was refused for many well-argued reasons: the council traffic department, which examined the projected traffic flows in great detail, rejected the scheme as unworkable given the area’s already congested and illegally-polluted roads. 
The thirty-six flats are affordable inner-city housing, which should be cherished not flattened. The scheme ignored the destructive visual impact such a huge building would have on Bristol’s historic centre.

The Group recognises that the BRI, as an inner city hospital, should be easier to get to for the infirm, the elderly, wheelchair users, and staff, but believes this could be achieved using infrastructure already in place. There are already serviceable multi-storey car parks in the area, which given the will could be used as part of the transport hub hospital managers say they want.

Destroying perfectly good housing to build a car park is thinking rooted in the 1960’s  The Council was absolutely right to turn down this hopelessly outdated proposal and the Group urges the Inspector now to refuse the appeal.

Kingsdown Conservation Group wishes to encourage all its members to visit a display of proposals to radically alter the pattern of road use around and beyond the junction of Woodland Road, Elton Road and Tyndall Avenue. (Although application 17/06169/F to close Tyndall Avenue to motor traffic has not been withdrawn, the current pre-application would supersede it, if it were pursued.)

The ramifications of the proposed changes would be extensive. Much local and through traffic would be obliged to adopt arduous diversion in order to make its way across the city.

These proposals have been prepared by Bristol University and are now unexpectedly included in what is called a second pre-application enquiry to the Bristol City Council regarding the proposed building of a new university library on the site of the present Hawthorns Building, opposite Bristol Grammar School on Elton Road. 

The University has put up a number of display panels in Beacon House, which is next to the Royal West of England Academy BS8 1PX on Queen’s Road, illustrating certain limited aspects of both the proposed changes to road use and of the proposed library. A ‘staffed drop-in session’ will take place in Beacon House on 15th October between 3 and 5 pm. 

The pre-application enquiry consultation period, the display at Beacon House, which is also at The Hawthorns and online at www.bristol.ac.uk/library/about/new-library/ will close on 21st October. 

We’ve been asked to publicise the following.  There are now only a few days left to respond:

https://bristol.citizenspace.com/growth-regeneration/western-harbour/

Two of the three proposals will do irreparable damage to the setting of the suspension bridge, by putting a four-lane bridge across the Avon.  The other is flawed in other ways.  As summarised by Dr Suzanne Audrey:

The three ‘chosen’ options all have serious implications including: environmental harm to the river and riverbank, community severance, harm to historic assets and iconic views of Brunel’s Suspension Bridge, changing the cycle route from a rural to a heavily-trafficked area, increased heavy traffic (a new 4-lane road) alongside the Nova Scotia and Pump House pubs, and increased air pollution. Local residents and businesses (including Riverside Garden Centre) are also fearful about the future of their homes and premises. Dr Suzanne Audrey

There is also a petition to get the council to release other options:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/publish-full-feasibility-report-on-cumberland-basin-road-options

Wheelie bins on the pavement are ‘an obstruction of the Highway’ and against city policy. The council says ‘take your bins off the highway as soon as possible after collection.’ If you wish to report an offence, the link is https://www.bristol.gov.uk/complaints/services?type=BINS_RECYCLING_LITTER You can also attach a photograph, if you wish. We would be grateful if you can also inform KCG on kcg@tancrede.plus.com