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.

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."