Kingsdown Conservation Group

Following message from Martin Durbin, our local community policeman

“We have not received many crimes for our area recently, in fact it has been fairly quiet, thankfully

Two of note were the following

Burglary at 68 Kingsdown Parade, overnight, no sign of forced entry, multi occupancy dwelling , occupants asleep in the top two flats, access possibly from rear lane. tidy search electrical/computer equipment taken.

Attempted burglary in Sydenham road, from the rear, where there is a raised area leading to the kitchen of the flat; tool used in an attempt to force the window. No entry gained.

There seems to have been an increase in burglaries in the Redland area, so security and awareness is still required, thanks Martin”.

Planning applications
The planning applications to
• build a four floor residential block on the corner of Ashley Road and Picton Street had been dismissed.
• build a garage in the front garden to 83 Kingsdown Parade is dismissed.
• convert the upper floors of 77/79 Stokes Croft (DFS Heating) into flats is withdrawn.

University
The University has revised its plans for the controversial new Biological Science Department and the Maths Department buildings at the top of St. Michael’s Hill. It has told KCG that following the public response to its plans and discussion with the Bristol Design Forum it will put forward revised proposals. Probably, in April, there will be a further public consultation about the revised designs with better documentation than there was at the public exhibition, last November.

KCG met the University’s acting Bursar and the University’s retained landscape architect to discuss the landscaping of the land in the public realm that surrounds the University. This is part of the development proposals included in the University’s development Masterplan. The Committee had previously sent to the University some thoughts about the improvement of Royal Fort Road and the car parking area to the north of Royal Fort House.

We said that we liked the feeling of enclosure in Royal Fort Road. The high Brandon rubble wall that surrounds the lower side of the former Children’s Hospital site should be repaired or rebuilt. The feeling of enclosure should be preserved when the University makes a new passageway to extend University Walk through to Tydall Avenue. We said that the area on the north of Royal Fort House was originally the forecourt before the entrance of the best classical house in Bristol. The new landscaping should reflect the formality of the classical architecture of the House. We were delighted that there was general agreement about the approach to landscaping. We plan another meeting when we can walk around the areas to be landscaped together.

Trees
In January, KCG members planted six cherries and a Scots Pine in the grass surrounding Priors Hill Flats.

AGM
Please turn out for the AGM at the Ark in Cotham Road South at 7.30 p.m. on Monday 10th March. KCG looks for new members to serve on the committee.

After the AGM Mary Wright will speak on “AW Godwin – the ultimate aesthete.” AW Goodwin was a C 19th Bristol architect – he designed both the Carriageworks and the graffitied gothic shop in Stokes Croft. He was also a prolific furniture designer. The City Museum’s collection has been exhibited in New York but not in Bristol. At the 2006 AGM Mary gave a very popular and well received talk on Stokes Croft’s history.

Next Meeting of the committee – is on Monday the 31st March. Please email the secretary at secretary@kingsdown.org.uk

Graham Syrett from Neighbourhood Watch has contacted us to say: “There will be a meeting with our local community police in St Mathew’s Church Hall on Saturday 15th March at 3pm. The formal meeting will last for a maximum of one hour, we will receive an update on recent crime activity (and preventative measures!) and there will be ample time to ask questions and express views. Please do come along if at all possible and meet with your local police officers - who wil be staying on until 4.30pm if you want to chat to them individually.”