Bedminster Green: Fears flats will replace area's 'lungs'

Locals in a city suburb say the "lungs" of its neighbourhood are being replaced by tower blocks.

Developer Dandara Limited wants to build 330 apartments on a plot of Bedminster Green in Bristol as part of a wider regeneration project.

Local residents say the removal of mature trees is "unacceptable" and the proposal would "never be allowed in Clifton".

Dandara said the scheme will provide "much needed housing" for the area.

The proposal would see three buildings between seven and 11 storeys high, commercial space and parking.

The plans said 66 of the 330 apartments will be "affordable".

More than 230 objections have been lodged to Bristol City Council due to the proposals, including Windmill Hill and Malago Community Group (WHaM).

The group said the impacts of the tower blocks are "harmful" to the local community.

It said: "At the current time WHaM objects to this application and does not think it should not be given permission because the harmful impacts to the local community, biodiversity, and environmental cost is not balanced out by any minor benefit that might be garnered."

One neighbour to the site said "enough is enough".

"There already has been huge development. People need green spaces for their mental wellbeing," they said.

"This has already been depleted and yet the human content of the area has been significantly increased."

In a planning statement submitted to Bristol City Council, Dandara said the scheme will integrate with existing and planned developments that "blends effortlessly".

The developer also said the development will "complement the existing centre rather than pose a threat to it".

It added that will be "significant public realm improvements" and the creation of jobs.

The major regeneration of Bedminster includes 2,000 new homes, a new bridge over the New Cut and reopening parts of the River Malago.

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