Bristol city council says yes to Elizabeth Shaw housing scheme
Developer Squarepeg's application to convert the derelict site into 252 flats and houses, with offices, a youth hostel and a cafe, was approved by Bristol City Council's development control committee on Wednesday.
Previously, the committee had rejected the proposal on the grounds that only six per cent of the homes, 14 in total, were classed as affordable housing for low-income families, even though the council had originally wanted between 10 and 30 per cent.
Squarepeg's final offer was 25 houses – 10 per cent – arguing this was the best they could do in the current economic circumstances.
Councillors raised concerns about this and the lack of so-called planning gain being offered by the developer.
Squarepeg had revised its contributions towards local education, highways and public open space from about £1.5m to just £90,000.
To compensate, the developer had promised to spend £1.5m on making the homes more environmentally friendly, with solar panels and a biomass boiler.
Cllr Charles Price (St George East, Labour) told the committee there were a number of traffic issues in the area that would need to be addressed, especially once the number of vehicles in the area increased.
He said: "We were going to have £200,000 for highways but now we are told we can cope with £50,000. I have grave concerns about whether that will be enough. I think £50,000 is inadequate. I'm slightly more happy with the 10 per cent (affordable housing) but not overly happy".
Cllr Emma Bagley (Lockleaze, Lib Dems) said: "It's a really good design, I'm really for mixed use."
But she thought the loss of about £720,000 the council had wanted towards education could send out the wrong message in an area with educational issues.
Cllr Colin Smith (Bedminster, Labour) said the developer's contributions were "on the mean side of reasonable".
He said: "I am very disappointed with what we're being offered.
"On this kind of site, developers have a social obligation and they are not meeting that on this application."
Overall though, councillors were impressed by the scheme itself.
Cllr Sean Beynon (Labour, Southville) said: "This is an impressive one, and it is really welcome for Bristol. I think it will improve that part of the city. I do still have concerns about the level of contribution – I don't think it's acceptable – but we don't want this site derelict."
Councillors voted eight to zero in favour of the scheme, while Mr Beynon said he abstained on the grounds that the Section 106 was insufficient.
Permission was granted on the condition that work would begin within a year. The developer has said the scheme will be good news for Bristol and would create 600 jobs.
Included in the plans are 22 cycle houses, the first of their kind in the UK.
In a statement to the committee architect George Ferguson said: "This application is the culmination of eight years thinking about the creative transformation of this important remnant of Bristol's industrial heritage.
"The proposal for the mould-breaking cycle houses have received local, national and international acclaim and are designed to encourage the everyday use of bikes, fitting Bristol's aim to be a truly successful cycle demonstration city."
A number of the cycling houses have direct access to the cycle path, which has caused concern for local residents. Pending planning approval, Squarepeg had agreed to purchase the land from the council. A recent £12,000 consultation exercise showed the majority of respondents opposed the sale on the grounds it would harm wildlife.
But planning officials this could not taken into consideration by the committee.
Afterwards Mike Coyne of Squarepeg said: "This is just the best result and Squarepeg is delighted to have been granted approval on the Chocolate Factory development.
"We have had complete faith in our vision and in the team who delivered the scheme.
"There has been an overwhelming vote of confidence from the majority of people who live locally and now the council has also made its support clear.
"The planning committee was unanimous in backing the scheme and recognising the advantages it will deliver both for the local area and for Bristol.
"We are delighted that they share our vision.
"This exciting an intelligent scheme will set a new benchmark for sustainable development in Bristol".
Comment on this story