News / Development
Hundreds of objections mounted against proposals for £85m development
Hundreds of objections have been lodged against a new eco retirement village being proposed in north Bristol.
The FORE Partnership submitted plans to build 122 ‘extra care’ homes on a site bordering the Downs.
The scheme would see a new net-zero retirement community, providing homes for 100 older people on the five-acre site in Westbury Park.
is needed now More than ever
Parts of St Christopher’s, a former special needs residential school which closed in 2019, would be demolished too. In its place, plans set out a six-storey apartment block and a collection of two-storey cottages, costing £85m.
100 retirement homes are being proposed for a site next to the Downs – phone: SCAN
But hundreds have criticised the scheme, called St Christopher’s Square, with over 600 objections currently lodged against it.
The St Christopher’s Action Network (SCAN) have been campaigning against the development since September 2021.
The main concerns from community members is lack of parking and congestion, the height of the project, loss of a special needs residential school and lack of affordable housing.
New images show potential impact of #StChristophers #Overdevelopment
Tell the council what you think. Visit https://t.co/X9FcI2SkqK to find out how.
IT’S TIME TO ACT
*Architectural views commissioned by SCAN to give impression of height* #LetsProtestWestburyPark #Community pic.twitter.com/8HbEPNF79c— St Christopher’s Action Network (@SCANBristol) April 10, 2022
The group said: “We recognise that Bristol desperately needs more housing – and we are not opposed to the site being developed.
“However, the proposals put forward by the FORE Partnership will not achieve these objectives.
“We insist that any plans for development of this very special site must be both sensitive to the environment, wildlife, architecture, ambience and heritage of Westbury Park, and appropriate in size, height, mass and density to the surrounding mainly 2-storey houses.”
One resident commented on the council’s website: “We have been privileged to live in the area for more than 60 years.
“This beautiful site should be kept for the community. What has happened to your policy on affordable housing?”
SCAN have been campaigning since autumn 2021 – photo: SCAN
A spokesperson for FORE said that St Christopher’s Square will offer ‘the highest levels of sustainability, health and wellbeing’, and that it had ‘been designed to fit well within the local area’.
Managing partner Basil Demeroutis said: “As an industry leader in sustainability and social value, we have a deep commitment to ensuring every project we bring forward is beneficial to the environment and generates significant community and social benefits.
“By retaining and enhancing existing buildings and adopting ultra-low carbon construction on the new development we will reduce the environmental impact of the scheme, which will become the first retirement living community in Bristol to achieve net zero.
“We hope this scheme will become an exemplar for a new generation of integrated retirement communities that have sustainability, community and social value at their heart.”
If plans are approved, the development is expected to be completed by 2025.
Main photo: FORE
Read more: Hundreds of new homes could be built on site of former garage
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