Fears for pub as Tesco seeks store parking
Tesco's plans to build a car park next to a Knowle pub are being recommended for approval despite residents' protests.
The company has submitted plans to build a 12-space car park next to the Friendship pub in Axbridge Road, but has also sent letters to people living nearby stating they want to turn the pub into a Tesco Express.
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Residents and traders say the new Tesco would put local shops out of business.
Twenty-two letters objection were originally submitted against the proposals, raising concerns about increased road danger, congestion and loss of trees.
But planning officials are recommending approval for the car park because they say what might happen to the pub is a separate issue.
Councillors are to discuss the application at a meeting of the development control committee on Wednesday.
A report to the committee says: "Concerns that have been raised with regard to the possible future introduction of retail use onto the site are recognised but are outside of the remit of the current application.
"Subject to conditions neither would it cause unacceptable harm to the character or residential amenity of the surrounding area."
Conditions include installing gated access to the car park so it cannot be used by vehicles or pedestrians outside of the pub's operating hours.
Officials state the exit point from the car park is 20m from the nearby road junction to the north, and claim there is good visibility of oncoming traffic.
When they last heard the matter in February, the committee deferred its decision so a site visit could take place.
Two further responses have been received since the last meeting.
The Bristol Civic Society has objected, arguing it is important to keep the Friendship because it is a "good piece of architecture, built by Georges Brewery in around 1928 to serve the developing Knowle estate".
A local resident has written in support of the proposal, claiming the traffic situation would actually be safer with the new car park.
Opponents held a protest outside Council House the last time the proposals were heard and plan to do the same again on Wednesday.
Jas Birk, 24, owns Knowle Convenience store next door to the pub.
She said: "My shop is next door, it will put me out of business.
"It will cause so much traffic and there have been so many accidents down there.
"It would cause chaos on our streets and we don't need another Tesco, there's one five minutes down the road."
13 Comments
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by Matt, Knowle
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 4:01PM
“Good on Tesco with persevering with this despite the idiots that listening to Glen Vowles.
This will be the best thing to happen to Knowle for years! At least the council have seen sense and recommended.
My understanding was that tesco are going to use the existing building which deals with a few other objectors.
Hopefully the planning committee will have some guts and approve all tomorrow and listen to their officers recommendations.
Roll on Tesco opening.”
by Glenn Vowles, vowlesthegreen.blogspot.com
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 1:34PM
“Step One has not been completed yet. On 1 April at 12.30 Councillors will be visiting the Friendship site to see it for themselves - they will meet afterwards, at 2pm, to finally decide to give permission or not. Not sure why the site visit is missing from the Posts report as its been known about since Feb (and has been on my blog since then too) and is a crucial aspect. Officers advice has been to say yes to the plans right from the beginning, so that's nothing new!!
I have a letter from Tesco (from Nov 08) which states that they purchased the pub. However, it has since transpired (from local Cllr Gary Hopkins I think) that they have an option on buying it and are not yet owners. To be honest I'm not sure myself who now owns it!! Tesco themselves have been completely remote and unapproachable on this issue despite their so-called 'good neighbour' policy.”
by Happy Camper, Bristol, BS4
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 11:47AM
“In a previous post Glenn Vowles said 'Tesco dont have to apply to set up a store but have applied for planning permission to build a 12 car plus 1 disabled space car park on the pub garden, with access gained by removing part of the wall on Axbridge Rd/Redcatch Rd'.
So it looks like step one is complete. Tesco have got themselves space for a car park.
Step Two is to turn the Friendship into a store. Have they actually purchased the pub then ?
Does anyone know ?”
by Glenn Vowles, vowlesthegreen.blogspot.com
Monday, March 30 2009, 7:32PM
“There's a lot of misinformation and ill-informed comment on here. I can confirm that a petition of just under 1500 signatures, collected locally, opposing the Tesco plans was presented to the last planning committee meeting In February by Knowle's Councillor Gary Hopkins.
I presented an e-petition of nearly 100 signatures.
Its a matter of public record who has signed - many hundreds are from Knowle or areas around Knowle. Evidence of local objection is concretely proven , as opposed to the mere opinions and assertions of a small number of other commenters here.
The public meeting called to discuss the issue in February was packed out with over 100 people who had taken the trouble to turn up to oppose the plans.
Many concerned Knowle residents turned up at the planning committee meeting at the council house to voice their objections in person!!”
by k, Knowle
Monday, March 30 2009, 7:16PM
“Here is one local!! I don't want tesco, yes the froendship has had its problems but we do not need another Tesco!! what happpened to supporting small local businesses???? I have been using the friendship for 15 years and have had many a good night in there. It is just a shame a minority have given it a bad name! Maybe you all stop being so quick to judge and sterotype people!! I hope the frendship stays and they get someone in who can run and control it properly enabling it to go back to the great pub it was!”
by Graeme, Knowle
Monday, March 30 2009, 2:12PM
“Concerned Resident - I agree with your comments about those who are protesting against this application.
The last time this story was run GV was on the web saying he had 1500 local objectors. The objectors on his website came from Clifton, Redland and South Goucs amongst others - hardly all local and of no concern to them what happens. On the BCC website for the planning application the Case Officer includes that many objectors only objected because it was Tesco.
This needs to be approved for the good of the area.
Where are all the objectors on this comments board at the moment? Making their placards or catching the bus in from their non-local homes to protest at the council house on Wednesday.”
by Steven, North Bristol
Monday, March 30 2009, 1:58PM
“"The Friendship" must be the most inappropriately named pub in the country.”
by A Concerned Resident, By The "Friendship"
Monday, March 30 2009, 1:33PM
“B, Bristol - Thanks.
I, and all my friends and neighbours, wholeheartedly agree with your comments.”
by B, Bristol
Monday, March 30 2009, 1:26PM
“To - A concerned residient - my apologies, I do know that the majority of people are decent hard working individuals. I grew up in the area and am aware of the lacal shops and the trouble that the friendship attracted - I also saw this recently as i have several time been to the vacinity in my job as a paramedic. I believe that this is hopfully the start of something better for the area, and people living there”
by A Concerned Resident, By The "Friendship"
Monday, March 30 2009, 12:56PM
“B, Bristol - actually most of us who live by this place (by this I mean within a 300m radius) are IN FAVOUR.
The campaign against is driven by a shopkeeper who at present has a monopoly herself, a shop that is overpriced and has no fresh produce.
And the green brigade led by the ubiquitous GV - and noone knows better than him about anything, you can't argue with him because he is always right and you are obviously wrong !!
Most people who object to this are not local, they are not who I class as local and those who are the anti-Tesco brigade who can't see beyond "the nasty Tescos".
The new car park will be much safer than at present - at the weekend a driver nearly ran me over mounting the kerb and driving over the pavement, followed by the abusive language cos it was my fault of course.
We can't wait for it to happen.”