Kingsdown Conservation Group

Various hospital developments: Current plans by the hospital authorities are to market the Horfield Road site in the late summer, and to auction Rose Cottage once a valuation has been obtained. Archaeological and planning concerns have delayed progress on the Kingsdown Parade site. KCG has asked for the ugly hospital fence on Marlborough Hill to be removed, and the hospital authorities are considering this.

The Council intends to make a final decision on the residents’ parking scheme in July.

The owner of 15 Kingsdown Parade (which is currently being rebuilt) will retain the oriel window.

The Planning Committee gave permission for a development at the back of 26, Somerset Street, against the recommendation of the Planning Officers.

An application has been submitted for 3 houses to be built at the back of Alfred Harris.

The Area Parks officer has estimated that a paved area on Montague Green, with two extra bins and benches, would cost over £8,000, so it may be necessary to look for other approaches.

We continue to pursue the improvement of Spring Hill, and are currently urging the Council to allocate some of the improvement money made available by a developer.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 6th July at 8pm. Please send any items for discussion to secretary@kingsdown.org.uk

Bedford Steps – are finally open.

Horfield Road abandoned garden - the planners say that the expected planning application to build houses on the former garden is UHB’s last opportunity to start work and remove the hoardings. There is an agreed timeframe, which includes dates for the planning application, sale and construction. A Planning Enforcement Notice will require UHB to remove the hoardings by the end of November. The Council’s legal department have completed the initial stages to prepare the notice for service. KCG has replied to say that the response was inadequate because vegetation is coming over the fence.

New entrance to BRI – 10/01545/F – KCG supports the application to put a new entrance on the Maudlin Street front of the BRI.

New Terrell Street wards – 10/01505/F – UHB will build a new ward block between the King Edward Building (E) the Heart Institute (N) the Queen Elizabeth Building (S). It will be visible only from Horfield Road. KCG supports the application but it wants the Council to impose a planning condition to lay out and manage the public areas. . The public space includes Terrell Street, Alfred Place, the Oncology car park, Bedford Steps and Cottage Place. More vehicles will use the area because, in addition to the vehicles, which will put down and pick up at the new Ward Block, UHB wants a one way route for delivery vehicles from Marlborough Hill, through Alfred Place to Horfield Road. This is a welcome safety measure. There is a lot of pedestrian traffic. Patients, visitors and staff use this area behind the BRI as do the public who walk along the historic streets. KCG supports separation of traffic and pedestrians where this is possible.

Westmoreland House Planning Appeal – The Planning Inspector dismissed the developer’s appeal but there are no current proposals to redevelop this eyesore although the Council says that the problem is under active review.

Residents’ Parking Scheme – On the 25^th March, the Cabinet decided to proceed with the Kingsdown scheme. The Council will proceed to the statutory consultation stage next.

15 Kingsdown Parade – The owner says that he intends to replace the existing oriel window with a like-for-like replacement. This is excellent news because of the oriel’s contribution to the street scene.

Montague Green – Committee members met, the central area parks manager who agreed to provide an estimate for the cost the removal of the rose bed and to replace it with a paved area and one or two seats, which will enjoy a view down Marlborough Hill.

The next committee meeting will be on Tuesday the 1^st June. If you wish to meet the committee or bring any matters to their attention, please contact the secretary@Kingsdown.org.uk.

Good news for everyone who likes an arty bargain – the successful Artisan Market organised by the Christmas Steps Traders and Residents’ Association is back this summer, starting on Saturday May 8th, 11am till 4pm, and then on the first Saturday of each month.

It’s a lovely community event, and a great chance to find paintings and sculptures, homeware, jewellery, clothing, homemade cosmetics, accessories, cakes chocolatesfrom the local area. Listen to the buskers, too, and enjoy a bite or a pint at one of the pubs and cafés in the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter.

There’s more information about the area and the market, and details of how to book a stall, on the snazzy new ‘CSAQ’ website at www.christmasstepsartsquarter.co.uk/

Beck Marsh, Business Planning and Development Manager for the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, writes to say that the meeting for local residents will be going ahead this Wednesday,14th, from 6-7pm.  She adds that it “will be an opportunity to discuss any issues that have arisen for the local community in relation to the Trust’s work at Colston Fort”

Date of meeting — 7.30 p.m. on Thursday the 18^th March 2010 at the Ark, Cotham Road South.

Andy King chaired the meeting. About 50 residents attended, but someone accidentally removed the attendance list and did not return it.

Minutes of the 2009 general meeting had been approved at the April 2009 committee meeting.

Annual report 2009–10 — John Frenkel summarised the annual report of the last year’s business, which was available at the meeting and posted on the KCG website and on the noticeboards. The meeting adopted the report.

The treasurer’s report — Pauline Allen presented the Group’s accounts for the year, which the meeting adopted. Capital payments this year will be provided to support the installation of more box lanterns.

Membership — About 95 households are members.

The 2010/11 committee — The meeting elected the officers and the committee who will be Pauline Allen (treasurer), John Frenkel (secretary), Nick Kidwell, Andy King, Jeremy Newick (Conservation Advisory Panel representative), Helen Phillips, Nigel Tasker, Wendy Tomlinson and Mary Wright. Tony Kerr promised to continue to maintain the website with Pete Ferne. Bridget and Malcolm Parker have agreed to continue as membership secretaries. Committee Members’ details appear on the KCG website, www.kingsdown.org.uk.

The committee emphasise that any member who wishes to come to a committee meeting is welcome. The Group needs more committee members to share the work.

The meeting noted that on the 25^th March 2010 the Council’s Cabinet will decide whether the Kingsdown Residents’ Parking Scheme will proceed.

The formal meeting then closed to be followed by a presentations first from Craig Bennett from CODA, the architects to UHB about the new Terrell wards and then by Councillor Mark Wright about the devolution of part of the Council’s budget to Neighbourhood Partnerships.

Andy and Lucy King very kindly provided wine and soft drinks for members.

Here’s an extract from the latest HomeGrown newsletter. If you want to join the HomeGrown email group, then just send an email to

kingsdownhomegrown+subscribe@googlegroups.com

The preparations for this year’s HomeGrown (on September 11th) start on Saturday 17th April with another ‘Bee Day’

Thanks to Ruth Rimmer for this link to the BBC website.

Graham Syrett from neighbourhood Watch writes:

Could I please remind you  that there will be a Kingsdown Neighbourhood Police Meeting at The Centre for the Deaf, King Square, Kingsdown at 6:30pm on Thursday 25 March 2010.

As I indicated previously, this meeting will be similar to our old style local PACT meetings but will be primarily for discussing local police/crime/concerns and issues.