'Boring' pub design given go-ahead

“"Brislington is known for The Paintworks and being a creative area. This pub is boring and there is nothing about it that is inspirational or interesting"
There is nothing interesting, inspirational or creative about shopping at the nearby Sainsburys - but Brislington, including the free thinking creatives at Paintworks, shop there like zombies. It defines the area, and leaves nothing else.
A chain pub can't really be a disappointment to them.”

“Well, iI live within 200 yards of the site, and I don't object in the slightest. Could be that some of the objectors are new to the area, and can't remember when there were two more pubs than now just down the hill. As PJB_1972 said, it'll be a nice, family-friendly local to go to.

Besides, it's not going to spoil the outstanding natural beauty of the area, is it? It's the bloody A4!”

“By the way, what's so 'boring' about it? It's a pub!”

“Nom, nom, nom.”

“@PJ1979
I can only think you have more faith in council planning policy than I do. We'd both like to see an ambitious development of the area but I think the chances are virtually nil. Thats why I'd support the pub as its better than the realistic alternatives ie another derelict site or flats. Local residents will find reasons to moan about anything new if its close enough to their house. Not one of them is trying to push through a better alternative though. Of course if you'd like to start a campaign to redevelop the area with a comprehensive and realistic plan then I'll happily support you. :)

Now if someone wanted to turn it into some sort of cycling hub then no doubt the council would be all over it like a rash......”

“@PJB_1972

Sounds like you have heard the same aspirations as I have. I understand you point about residents aspirations not making anything happen, it doesn't mean that there opinions should be dismissed though does it. If Council planning policy was to identify a Paintworks style developemnt of the Tramway road site then it could actually become a reality. This will only happen if residents express their opinions as market forces will simply turn most vacant plots into housing, simply because it has the highest development value.

On the more and more derelict buildings point, the derelict plots are finite, therefore I have no objection to people wanting to make sure that development on them is done right. Once they are developed the opportunity to redevelop is gone for another 30 years and in the case of housing development sites, probably forever. Surely there is a balance to be had between getting on with it and getting it right?”

“That is because 80% of residents may be against it, but they don't actually have a say about what else is built in the area they happen to live in. That is life, you don't have a human right to a nice view out of your house or for your area to be free from chain pubs. People do have the right to build houses and open businesses (within reason of course). So of course their nimby objections were dismissed.”

“There will be flats on the Bretheren church site soon too - that's what it is earmarked for and has been for about 8 years now, they just never find the money to build them.

The problem with the planning committee process is that the thoughts of residents just aren't taken into account. Over 80% of those who responded to the application were against, but this counted for nothing. Unless you can say why their ventilation system isn't adequate or have some technical knowledge of building regulations, you don't have a chance of your voice being heard. It's a flawed system, skewed towards businesses and industry professionals.

The pub might turn out to be fine and not cause any problems, but make no mistake, it will be a bland, generic joint serving bland, microwaved food. If the demand is there it will do well but as someone else said other pubs have been closing down, so maybe there isn't the demand for it some might think.

In addition, apparently the old MFI building is being turned into a gym.”

“@PJ1979
Its all very well the residents having aspirations but that doesn't make anything happen. We'd all love to see a Paintworks style area here but its simply not going to happen. If local residents try to block every planning application because its not what they were hoping for then the area will have more and more derelict buildings which surely isn't what anyone wants.

Yes we may well end up with flat on the old MFI site as its clearly not an appealing location for retailers but turn down the pub and we'll probably end up with flats on the old school site too after many years of it standing empty.”

“This is a good idea.”