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High-rise development approved despite opposition

James DiamondWest of England
News imageLiz Lake Associates A digital image shows the vision for the scheme. Taken looking down a wide, tree lined street, the 23-storey student block can be seen in the distance. The road towards it is lined by several apartment blocks.Liz Lake Associates
A spokesperson for developer Galliard Apsley said the scheme "will do exactly what regeneration is meant to"

The man in charge of a city's planning process says he is "fed up" with the system, after the committee he chairs approved a high-rise development, despite widespread opposition.

Bristol City Council's Planning Committee voted in favour of a 23-storey block of student flats in Bedminster, after council officers warned there were no legal grounds to refuse it.

Green councillor Rob Bryer who chairs the committee said: "I'm actually going to stop being the chair of the committee soon, partly because I'm so fed up and frustrated with how constrained our decision making is."

The block near Princess Street will be South Bristol's tallest building if it is built.

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In addition to the student block, developer Galliard Apsley wants to create 450 new homes on land between Princess Street and Whitehouse Street, 20% of which would be affordable.

Groundfloor space would be set aside for business and community use including healthcare provision and cafes.

In January, councillors declined to approve the scheme and asked planning officers to find reasons for refusal, but in a report published ahead of Wednesday's meeting, officers said there were no legal grounds to refuse the scheme and doing so would likely lead to an appeal, which would cost the city.

"This will happen over and over again," Bryer, who was one of three councillors to vote against the plans, told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We have very little influence over this stuff. We have obviously the right to vote on things.

The government has pledged to see 1.5m new homes built during this parliament, with Bristol's Local Plan aiming to see 1,925 homes built every year on average, till 2040.

News imageLiz Lake Associates The photo shows a pedestrianised street with trees and green space down the middle. Apartment blocks sit either side of the street. The block of the left is a dark brown colour, while the one on the white is a lighter, sandy shade. Liz Lake Associates
The project includes plans for 450 homes as well as the student accomodation

Sandra Fryer from the Bristol Civic Society, which opposed the scheme, said: "We need more houses in the city and this is a good spot for a medium rise residential development.

"If this had been up to say a max of 12 stories with a variety of different height blocks, everyone would have been very pleased."

Speaking during the meeting on behalf of the developer, George Baffoe-Djan said they can only offer 20% affordable homes because the student block makes it viable.

"This building is effectively safeguarding those 87 (affordable) homes," he said.

Spencer Clark from local business JamJar Prints also spoke in favour, saying he "can't see a downside", though the majority of those who spoke were against it.

The NHS and Avon and Somerset Police both opposed the plans due to expected healthcare pressures and anti-social behaviour respectively.

The Avon Fire and Rescue Service did not oppose the scheme, provided the developer installs more fire hydrants.

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