Kingsdown Conservation Group

Thanks to everyone who wrote in objecting to the two unsuitable building schemes that the United Bristol Hospitals Trust had submitted for planning approval (see earlier items, with pictures, below). The City Council Planning Department say they told UBHT that both applications would be refused, and UBHT then withdrew them.

UBHT may just be biding their time and waiting for the property market to pick up. We can, of course, expect new applications to be made in due course, and we hope that the Trust will then genuinely take note of the very sensible and reasonable views of local residents, instead of just ignoring them. That would save a lot of time and effort for all concerned, and might even lead to a scheme we could simply support.

Thanks again, but stay vigilant.

From PC Martin Durbin:
A robbery occurred on kingsdown Parade yesterday at 1145pm. A female had her bag taken from her after being approached by four black teenagers between 13 - 15 years, all on bicycles , believed two girls/two boys. One of them threatened her but no weapon was seen. The main offender, was wearing a grey hoody. The group then cycled off along Kingsdown Parade, and down Nugent Hill.

Any sightings please call the police.

There was also an attempt burglary at 82 Cotham Rd where two males were disturbed in the rear garden, attempting to climb the building. One of them was wearing a cream wooly hat, and was holding a torch. Both made off into Cothamside.

Please relay these incidents to neighbours, friends , and NHW members, emphasising the need for vigilance, and calls to the police, 999 if applicable !

6KDP

The UBHT hospital authorities have applied for Planning Permission to build no less than 9 (!) ‘family houses’ on this site. They say their proposals will “bring together disparate elements and bring a sense of continuity to this hub of the Kingsdown Conservation Area”.

We say
We welcome development of the site, but 4 storeys is too high and the proposals would cram in far too many houses on the site. Describing them as ‘new 3-storey terrace houses’ is extremely misleading. The buildings should respect the domestic scale of their immediate neighbours.

These “family houses” have no gardens. Roof space is a very poor substitute for gardens or other amenity space. Children need somewhere to play safely and make noise. Either replace carparking with gardens or use site for key-worker housing.

UBHT have largely ignored the views of local residents, despite their (false) claim that ‘Members of the local community have been involved from the outset’, so we will have to make a formal objection to the council.

Please help to ensure that these plans are rejected. You can find the application details, and make your comment, here:

Or you can email the Planning Officer: chanelle.brodie@bristol.gov.uk to say that you object.

The deadline is May 28th – don’t forget!

This important and encouraging City Council document is now available online here

It sets out the Council’s view of the history, development and current character of the area (including a newly-incorporated triangle on Horfield Road). There are lots of photos, and discussion of individual streets and buildings, views, opportunities threats and some fascinating maps. KCG has contributed a lot of the material, during the several years (!) that we have been talking to the Council about the document and its predecessors.

You can buy a hard copy from Heather Porter in the Planning Department, but it costs £15 so we are hoping that the Council will give us a few that we can lend to KCG members.

The Green Man came to Kingsdown at the beginning of May:

Graham Syrett has sent this quick update on the past month:

There have been five burglaries: Cothamside, Fremantle Square, Victoria Walk, and Springfield Rd, and the latest, this weekend at West End. Entry was ained, by a front door being kicked in, a front door lock forced, and windows smashed on the other three occasions. Two/three white males seen at two of these incidents.

A garden shed was broken into in Kingsdown Parade and a bicycle stolen.

The was an assumed attempted robbery in Somerset Street, when a large black male followed a resident into her garage ,as she was parking the car, between 10.30 - 10.45 pm. She screamed loudly, and the male left the area.

Graham Syrett reports: Six thefts occurred from motor vehicles, three in Sydenham Road, and one each in Marlborough Hill, Montague Hill, and Somerset St.

A problem is occurring in Fremantle Square as numbers of adults, believed to have moved on from Kings Square, have begun congregating at various times of the day and evening on the grass area, drinking alcohol, littering and apparently generally taking over the area.

If you have any further evidence or information regarding this, please let Graham know:samuelthecat@msn.com

A week of events celebrating hope, creativity and community @ the Ark, Cotham Road South

As part of this week, co-run by St Matthew’s and BCF, there will be a community art exhibition in the ‘Ark’ building that will be open from 10-5pm every day.

If you are an artist, or are involved with a community art project, and would like to exhibit work that expresses something of the themes of the week, then please contact Vicky Wright or Ruth Price for further details.

Vicky Wright - vicky.wright@bristol.anglican.org
Ruth Price - pricepure@googlemail.com