Kingsdown Conservation Group

University
The University has asked Kingsdown Conservation Group, among others, to a meeting to launch a good neighbour policy. Are there any issues that you would like KCG to raise with the University on your behalf? Redland and Cotham Amenity Society have prepared a paper, available on their website www.rcas.org.uk, about problems such as noise and rubbish that “studentification” causes to other households. Have you seen or read the University’s Development Masterplan? Does it affect you? Please send your views to KCG’s secretary at insideout73@blueyonder.co.uk.

Traditional building materials
KCG is concerned about the loss of traditional building materials and architectural details, which are lost in the restoration of some houses. It regularly brings unauthorised alterations to the planning authority’s attention. Nearly all building alterations in a conservation area require planning consent. If the house is listed any change additionally requires listed building consent. Each individual change of material or loss may appear to be minor; however, each loss cumulatively degrades the street scene and the area’s attractiveness. These are examples of changes that require consent: to use concrete tiles to replace traditional roofing materials and the loss of chimney stacks and pots; to use non-traditional materials such as Upvc to replace windows and doors; to demolish garden walls and gate posts. These alterations frequently make a house less attractive and reduce its value.

Wheelie bins
Some residents recently met a representative of the City’s cleansing department and its enforcement officer to discuss what can be done about the number of waste bins that are now on view in the streets between collections. It is the City’s policy to take vigorous enforcement proceedings. Any bin left on the pavement between collections has a notice stuck on it. If the obstruction continues the enforcement officer will interview the householder and issue a warning letter that any further obstruction could result in a fixed penalty. In the City Council’s opinion, the situation has improved rapidly in areas where enforcement has been active. Some households choose to keep their bins next to the pavement within a railed area in front of the house. This gives the area the appearance of bin city. The City has not addressed two problems.
(i) The public health issue. Passers by dump rubbish in these bins that causes them to overflow.
(ii) The security issue. Bins are useful to burglars and high level taggers. A bin in Kings Square was recently set ablaze.

Membership
The committee has recently delivered leaflets about Kingsdown Conservation Group. Have you completed your application or lost it? More members and more skills creates a more effective organisation. Please return your application, or ask for another, from the membership secretaries at mpbr29081@blueyonder.co.uk. or download one from the website.

Trees
KCG hopes to report that it’s discussions with the City Council will bring about the replacement of the cherry trees that grew in Prior’s Hill garden, the trees on the north side of Kingsdown Parade that died this year and the two cherry trees that formerly grew on Spring Hill, below Dove Street.

The Full Moon
The City Council issued a stop notice to prevent further work when it discovered that the developers were carrying out extensive alterations to this Grade II listed building without the necessary listed building and planning consents. Unfortunately, much of the work has already been carried out. Windows have been “re-opened” and the 200-year-old staircase stripped. The development in the Eclipse is out of proportion to the entrance. The developers have now sought the necessary permissions. KCG has written to the planning department about the quality of the developer’s proposals.

The community police officer
Following the recent television programme about the local bail hostels the community police officer has moved his meeting, on Wednesday 6th December, between 7.00 to 8.30 p.m., to St Matthew’s parish hall. He says that a senior police office will attend.

Next Meeting of the committee is at 8.00 p.m. on 12th December. If anyone has a matter of concern about Kingsdown to raise, please email the secretary at insideout73@blueyonder.co.uk

Mr Stafford, the owner of the laundrette in Cotham Road South, applied for  planning permission to change the use of the laundrette to residential. This was refused.  He is now appealing against this decision.

The Inspectorate have decided that this will be decided by them without a hearing.  Letters already written to the planning department will be forwarded to them, or you may send your views to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/19A, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN quoting reference number APP/Z0116/A/06/2025278/NWF. Alternatively, you can submit your views on-line (www.planningportal.gov.uk/PCS.) Any views must be submitted by 26 December 2006, and the Inspectorate must receive three copies of any letter.

The view of the committee is that it would be a serious loss to this row of shops if this very prominent shop were lost. 
 

It’s not often we can say that, but credit where it’s due - new and much clearer roadsigns have appeared on Marlborough Hill. Cul-de-sac signs at the top, and No Entry/Left-turn only half-way down, and better marking on the road surface itself, should put an end to lawbreaking rat-runners driving down the hill on the offchance and then not quite noticing the old No Entry signs.

Thanks to the traffic engineers for responding to the concerns expressed by residents.

At 12b Kingsdown Parade. Items for the agenda? - use the Contact Us form to notify us.

Friday 24th November 6-8pm at 73 Kingsdown Parade

Celebrate the end of the week (Nov 24th) over some mulled wine & buy local harvest produce in aid of tree planting in Mali (some 360 trees planted as a result of our summer sales!)

It’ll also be a chance to discuss how we might extend the fruit & veg market system we started last summer, using the excess some of us have from gardens & allotments; also to hear about the ‘Kingsdown Harvest Fair’ booked for Sept 22nd ’07.

Helen Simpson ( 9422922) & Sue Hannam (9245983)

** If you’ve got any jams, jellies, chutneys, veg, whatever, which could go in the sale, PLEASE BRING!! **

The University is holding a meeting on 30th November with local community groups to discuss some of the issues that came up in last year’s consultation about the University Masterplan (now adopted by the City Council as an official planning policy - see details on the Council’s web-site )

The issues include:

* Rubbish & Waste
* Noise & Disturbance
* Traffic & Parking
* Environment

If there are any points you would like raised, please contact us.

You can download the draft Policy (which will be changed to take account of points raised at the meeting)