Traders in South Bristol’s biggest shopping centre face being forced out and could go out of business if plans for its demolition and ‘regeneration’ get given the go-ahead, campaigners have said.
And now residents campaigning to stop the plans to turn the Broadwalk Shopping Centre into the massive ‘Redcatch Quarter’ development are stepping up their campaign against the plans.
People living in and around Knowle and Knowle West involved in the campaign say they are not opposing the regeneration of the shopping centre, but are against what they say is a development that’s too big and ‘overwhelming’ for the area.
Read more: The battle for the soul of Knowle is just getting started
There is already a planning permission to build more than 400 flats on the site of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in the heart of Knowle from a couple of years ago, but the site has new owners, Broadside Holdings, with new plans: to completely demolish all the buildings between Redcatch Park and the Wells Road and build up to 850 flats there instead, with a ‘Wapping Wharf-style’ new pedestrian streets lined with shops, restaurants and bars.
The buildings will be up to 12 storeys tall, and are now beginning to meet fierce resistance from some local residents, although Knowle’s local councillors support the proposal. More than 800 people have now signed a petition set up by the Knowle Neighbourhood Planning Group which calls on the city council’s growth and regeneration manager to oppose the plans.
“We want Bristol City Council to follow the guidance in their own Urban Living Policy, and reject this version of the plans,” said Helen Evans, from the Knowle Neighbourhood Planning Group, a group of local residents campaigning against the project. “We hope they can encourage the developers to design something smaller and more in-keeping with the area, which will serve new and existing residents and allow Knowle to really thrive.
“Everyone who sees the plans reacts the same way: ‘They wouldn’t allow this in Clifton’,” she added.
The group has organised two public meetings next week, on Thursday and Friday, September 22 and 23, to bring local residents up to speed with the latest plans.
The plans from 2018 which already have permission would see a revamp of the existing shopping centre, rather than the entire area levelled and rebuilt with no shopping centre as such at all.
Those behind the campaign said they also have the support of a number of businesses currently based inside the Broadwalk Shopping Centre, who have taken on paper copies of the online petition, for customers to sign. The petitions are currently in Nook, Betfred, Singar Beauty, Select Clothing, the YMCA Charity shop and Snooker City.
Laura Chapman, from the Knowle Neighbourhood Planning Group, said it was ‘often upsetting’ talking to traders about the new plans. “We were welcomed with open arms and everyone was really keen to talk to us. And they aren’t happy about the development,” she said.
(story continues below timeline)
Read next - ‘Redcatch Quarter’, the story so far:
July 2018 - First plans unveiled for 400 new homes and revamped Broadwalk shopping centre
March 2019 - Councillors give permission to 400 new homes plan
Sep 2019 - Wilko confirms it’s leaving Broadwalk
Dec 2019 - Knowle could become Bristol's next 'hotbed of regeneration' say property experts
July 2021 - What people want for future of 'run-down' Bristol shopping centre
Jan 2022 - Broadwalk to be renamed ‘Redcatch Quarter’, announce developers
Jan 2022 - New plans to demolish Broadwalk entirely and build 800 flats unveiled
May 2022 - South Bristol MP warns of shortage of schools and GPs with 12,000 new homes
June 2022 - Developers tweak plans for ‘Redcatch Quarter’ after consultation
July 2022 - The battle for the soul of Knowle is just getting started
Sep 2022 - Only a small fraction of 850 new homes in South Bristol will be 'affordable'
“To be honest, we weren’t sure how we would be received, as our local councillors have always claimed that the Broadwalk traders are emphatically in favour of the development, but that is very clearly not true.
“The 2018 plans were really good for them as all of their shops would have been renovated, but Redcatch Quarter is completely different,” she said.
“People working for the larger chains are expecting to be moved to different stores but will really miss their ‘Broadwalk family’. But smaller chains and independents are absolutely gutted and fearful for their future. They are expecting to lose their jobs, but are being given little information about when that will happen.
“We had particularly emotional conversations with the owners of Singar Beauty and Snooker City. Both have tried to look for new premises but can’t find anything suitable, so they think their businesses will have to close permanently. They are heartbroken for their regular customers, and most of all for their loyal staff who are like family to them,” she added.
“Hearing these stories about the real-life impact of the development - and its disproportionate impact on independent businesses - has given KNPG yet another reason to fight the current plans for Redcatch Quarter and try to negotiate a better deal for Knowle,” she added.
Speaking late last month after the plans were submitted to Bristol City Council, Francis Hilton, the project manager for the regeneration, said the proposed ‘Redcatch Quarter’ will provide a ‘thriving neighbourhood destination complete with a community hub- including a new library and community café, a dedicated restaurant area overlooking the park, flexible commercial and retail space, essential services such as a local supermarket, dentist and pharmacy, urgently needed new homes and the only neighbourhood cinema in South Bristol - all ushered in by a reimagined pedestrian high street with planted green areas and pocket parks’.
He said the plans were tweaked after months of consultation with local residents.
“We want to thank everyone who participated in the consultation as your feedback has been instrumental in the progression of the proposals. Following valuable discussions with local people, it’s clear that we are all united in wanting a thriving, sustainable community asset that will deliver for Knowle for years to come. Local input has led to the introduction of the cinema, wider and more attractive pedestrian areas, a reduction in massing and redistribution of buildings, and better integration with the park,” he added.
“Making the outline application is just a point on the journey and we look forward to continuing to work with the community post-submission to contribute to the revitalisation of South Bristol,” he said.
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Mayor defends affordable housing numbers at Castle Park View
Developers 'have to deliver' affordable housing for Bristol says Mayor
New plans for 350 homes in centre of Bristol - but only 20 per cent 'affordable'
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