The Three Blackbirds Inn, which closed in 2020 after operating as a pub for more than 150 years, could become a hotel if plans are approved. Neighbours in Easton have been having their say this week on the proposal, which would involve a two-storey roof extension at the front of the building, a new cafe facing onto Stapleton Road and the renovation of the rear terrace garden.
It would see the "demolition of rear pub extensions and associated extensions" and as well as the hotel, the plans also include a new apartment block facing onto Warwick Road and 23 new parking spaces. Developer the Boyce Group submitted the plans to Bristol City Council back in July 2022 and a raft of public comments were published on the council's planning portal on Thursday (January 12).
Head architect at the Boyce Group, Stephen Paradise, said he hopes the hotel will improve Stapleton Road and that the residential scheme which will provide local housing has already been approved. The marketing and viability report submitted with the documents states that ‘the community has not been adversely affected since the premises closed’ and that 'there are plenty of other public house and community facilities which are still in operation nearby'.
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It adds: "Currently the Three Blackbirds Inn has a dwelling on the upper floors which is in a state of disrepair. The public house is in a dilapidated state and is unused. It was struggling for trade pre pandemic and the premises was then permanently closed during the pandemic."
Before the previous owner Pete Williams sold the building to the developer, the former landlady operated Mama Cleo’s Kitchen from inside the pub for 15 years, and took over management of the pub in 2015. She now has a restaurant in a separate premises on Stapleton Road but told Bristol Live that there had been plans to close prior to the pandemic because they were not making enough money.
As of Friday (January 13) nine objections had been raised against the plans while more than 30 comments had been left in support. Those who have objected raised concerns over parking and the suitability of a hotel on Stapleton Road, with one objection spanning eight pages outlining details of antisocial behaviour in the area and lack of visitor attractions.
Those in support, which include a business on Stapleton Road, say that it will be a ‘nice addition to the area’, somewhere their friends can stay when they visit and a scheme that will bring new jobs to the area. A few objections have been raised by residents living on the neighbouring road, Oxford Place, with one stating that everyone on the street objects, which contradicts the developer’s claim that the scheme is supported by local residents.
Another comment in opposition raises concerns about the proposed demolition of a historic building which the developer has described as ‘dilapidated’. Others have concerns over potential noise pollution which had been a problem for residents when the venue had been operating as a pub, as heard by a licensing committee in 2020 shortly before The Three Blackboards permanently closed.
Head architect Mr Paradise said: “We’re very proud to have secured permission for the rear residential scheme on a previous application, which will provide much needed good quality apartment housing to local people. This application is the final piece of the puzzle which proposes a cafe on the ground floor and a modest boutique hotel on the upper floors.
“We have recently carried out a public engagement event which received tremendous support for the project from local residents, businesses and shoppers alike. We hope that the scheme acts as a catalyst for improving Stapleton Road."
Niall Leighton-Boyce founded the development company in 2013 aged 25, with his first project in Old Market which involved buying and renovating Grade II listed properties which were then rented to independent businesses. He now has over 80 tenants in the area who include Tomo No Ramen and Bristol Vintage & Ebony Rose Upholstery.
All the details regarding the plans for the development, associated documents and public comments can be viewed on the Bristol City Council planning portal here. A decision should be made by the end of August, according to the determination deadline listed on the plans.
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