The former St Christopher’s School in Westbury Park is to open its five-acre grounds and old school hall to the community for a year.
The move will see charities, community groups and arts organisations have free use of its indoor and outdoor spaces on a daily basis for the next 12 months. Luke Martin, senior project manager at Socius, which is redeveloping the school, said: “The site has been closed to the public and hidden behind a wall for many years. We have already started to open up the site and make it part of the wider community. We want to continue this.”
READ MORE: Community commissions own drawings to show 'impact' of controversial development on the Downs
Currently, the site is providing temporary affordable accommodation for 90 people living as guardians and is home to a Covid vaccination centre for Whiteladies Medical Centre. The old school hall can hold up to 80 people seated and has a stage and bathroom facilities. Outside there are a number of areas suitable for small or large groups, with access to facilities.
Dr Lee Salkeld, from Whiteladies Medical Centre, said: "We have been fortunate to be able to deliver Covid vaccinations from the site. Through every step of our planning and implementation, the team at St Christopher's have been responsive, flexible, and supportive. We hope to continue to work with the team later in the year."
ALSO READ: Controversial plans for Bristol's new £80m retirement complex to be unveiled this week
Performance group Mechanimal and First Redland Scouts are hoping to be among the many organisations who will use the hall when the vaccination centre closes, and Circomedia - a local yoga class - is intending to use the outdoor space in the summer. But there are opportunities for other groups and charities to use the space too.
Mr Martin continued: “We understand the importance of keeping active, both mentally and physically, and local community groups play a vital role in supporting the wellbeing of their members. There are not a great number of options for activity and event space in Westbury Park, so we are pleased to be able to invite in local groups to make use of the existing facilities that are currently sitting empty.”
The site has been at the centre of controversy for a number of years, from locals feeling 'misled' over development plans to a Bristol community group commissioning its own architectural images to show what it believes will be the impact of new buildings on the surrounding area.
Francesca Kay, a member of the St Christopher's Action Network (SCAN) said the ‘it will forever change the face of the Downs’ while Alan Payne, who has lived near the site for more than 30 years, said he wouldn’t consider living there based on the current scheme, despite being the ideal candidate for the 'eco retirement village'.
What do you think? Sign in and join the conversations in the comments below
