Bristol City Council’s housing company was accused of “ignoring and mocking” residents as its plans for 268 homes at Romney House overcame the final hurdle. Councillors over the border in South Gloucestershire, where roughly six of the properties will be built, said Goram Homes and developer partner Vistry Partnerships – formerly Bovis Homes – had given neighbours a “rough ride” by not providing them with adequate information or enough consultation time.
The development management committee voted by a majority to approve the detailed scheme in Lockleaze, following Bristol council’s lead in February and outline permission previously granted by both local authorities. But Stoke Park Parish Council, 21 South Gloucestershire residents and members representing wards in both unitary authorities objected amid concerns that the new buildings, which will be up on a ridge and almost two metres higher than standard two-storey houses, would “tower” over existing homes.
Stoke Park and Cheswick ward Lib Dem Cllr James Arrowsmith told the South Gloucestershire Council committee: “Although developers have stated they have listened to residents’ concerns, and some positive changes have been made, residents have felt ignored and even mocked by this submission. There are many residents who still do not have the full picture for our own homes and gardens which is shocking and completely unacceptable.
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“Developers have pressed ahead with two-storey homes that would tower over the existing structures at 9.5m high, compared to the current 7.75m housing that currently exists – 9.5m is much more typical of a three-storey build and would not adhere to the promises the developers made to residents.” He said changes “full of unclear drawings and planning jargon” were submitted to the original plans but neighbours were given less than one month to comment.
“This is an appalling precedent to set for engagement and consultation. Residents have been given a rough ride and feel rightly aggrieved,” he said. “This consultation period is not fit for purpose and acts only in the interest of developers looking for a quick approval for an evidently flawed scheme.”
Cllr Arrowsmith said other concerns included insufficient parking, which would clog up nearby streets, and a lack of new amenities. “Councillors should consider rejecting this and asking the developers to go back to square one,” he added.
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A report to the meeting on Thursday, March 4, said that while officers recommended approval, the council’s landscape officer was “still concerned about the visual dominance of the new roofs on the skyline” and the conservation officer had concerns about the “lack of assessment on the visual impact on Stoke Park”. The conservation officer said: “Nevertheless, given that the proposed development within the South Gloucestershire area is relatively small compared to the overall scale of the proposal and it would be located to the far northern corner of the area, therefore no further comments are made.”
Committee member Cllr Brian Hopkinson said: “But they’ve made the comments. The houses are built at a higher level than the existing properties in South Gloucestershire. If this was all within South Gloucestershire, we would have been looking at this differently, rather than just giving way to Bristol and saying only a few people will be badly affected by it so it’s not a problem.
“I don’t understand why there is not more consideration. This application should be turned down on the basis it is overlooking those properties and some reasonable amelioration should be done and they could do that. We seem to be ignored.” A planning officer told members: “There is a potential for some overlooking because there will be new houses going in behind the old houses and there is nothing there at the moment.
“Officers have taken the view that the angle of overlooking would be quite oblique, so it’s not a direct look into the back.” Council solicitor Tonya Meers said: “An outline application has been approved, so the principle of development has already been approved.”
Goram Homes managing director Stephen Baker said afterwards: “We are delighted to be able to start work on our development at Romney House in Lockleaze. Of the 268 homes, over half will be affordable. Not only will the development give more people the chance to have a safe and secure home but we will be building an on-site skills academy to equip local people with the skills needed to embark on a career in construction.
“The academy, alongside a number of other community-led projects, is a great example of how we are working with partners and residents to add value to the areas where we are building new homes in a meaningful and long-lasting way.”
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