Current News and Update
 
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St Christopher’s 
A planning application for the development of the St. Christopher's site was registered with Bristol City Council in mid March 2022. The Community Association opposed the application on a number of grounds, most notably the overdevelopment of the site with large apartment buildings up to six storeys high being proposed on the backland area of the site close to surrounding houses. We also opposed it on parking grounds as the number of parking spaces proposed could lead to overspill parking on surrounding roads. A further objection related to the inadequacy of the community engagement programme undertaken by the applicant and the failure to address the many concerns expressed by the Community Association and many others.

There were over 700 objections to the planning application made in including several from respected national bodies: a number of City Council officers / teams also expressed major concerns.  

Faced with all the criticism of the original application the applicant submitted revised plans to Bristol City Council in December 2022 in an attempt to address the many fundamental objections to the original plans.  Proposed changes included a reduction in the total number of units from 122 to 116, reducing the height of villa B from six to five storeys,  changing the footprint and positioning of villas A, B, C and D, removing the vehicular access to the site from Bayswater Avenue and removing fewer trees. 

After being withdrawn from the City Council’s Development Control Committee in late May 2023 the application was finally considered by   #the Committee at their meeting held on 9th August 2023. After presentations made by people and groups supporting and opposing the application, and discussion on various aspects of the proposal, the Committee unanimously refused the St. Christopher’s planning application on the grounds of overdevelopment and loss of trees. 

More details about the planning application and the 9th August Committee meeting, including the full reasons for refusal, can be found on the Planning Issues page  

The planning application can be found at :- 
https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=R8HHLODN0DG00&activeTab=summary
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99 Devonshire Road
We are really pleased to say that West-tec, the builders for what was the 99 Devonshire Road horror show, have completed their work. The owner now has some final jobs on site to get done and we assume that the flats to buy and workspace to rent will be on the market soon – watch for the agent’s sign. I think we can rightly congratulate ourselves for all the efforts we took - with all your help – to get what had been a derelict hulk into a completed building, even if it has taken over 7 years – a major plus for the WPCA!
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Electric Car Charging at Waitrose
Several local people with electric cars have complained about the charging points at Waitrose. The problem is that the main rank of charging points is all for the slower/cheaper charging regime and that can take several hours. Unfortunately, parking is only possible there for 90 minutes, so a few people have already been fined for overstaying that limit. Some people have been told at the shop reception that they could register their car number when using a charger and they could stay beyond 90 minutes.  Our advise is to check first with Waitrose customer services should you plan to overstay the 90 minute limit when charging your car.   
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Downs Advisory Panel {DAP}
 
Robert Westlake, Chair of Friends of the Downs and Avon Gorge (FODAG), has advised the Community Association of a new partnership between the Downs Committee and FODAG.
 
“The new group will be known as the Downs Advisory Panel and boast
specialists and volunteers from a wide range of disciplines who will assist the Committee in the good governance of the Downs in the future.
 
If you or your organisation have or receive any concerns about the Downs or a Downs related question you can contact DAP by email or phone. We can deal directly with your query or forward information onto the Downs committee.
Downs Advisory Panel {DAP}”
         
email:  downspanel@gmail.com
 Tel: 0117 9634755 
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 Website updated on Thursday, 10th August 2023