The green light has been given for an apartment-hotel near the Christmas Steps which locals say is squeezed into a tiny yard. Developers want to build 19 serviced apartments and an eight-bedroom shared house in Colston Yard, despite concerns about access to the site.
Offices at Colston Yard will be converted after Bristol City Council gave planning permission for the scheme on Wednesday, November 16. Access to the accommodation will be through Johnny Ball Lane and Colston Street, raising concerns about chaos during construction.
Planning officers recommended the committee approve the scheme, but transport planners at the council warned of the potential problems with access. Construction vehicles would take up several spaces on the streets nearby while the building works take place.
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Speaking at the development control A committee on Wednesday, November 16, Rob David, who runs a local studio, said: “The appeal is the tucked away nature of the yard. It’s peaceful but central, busy but respectable. That’s why it’s a great place to work. I co-run a recording studio in Colston Yard.
“Although we’ve made great efforts to soundproof the space, noise that would be created by the construction of a huge building like this would be almost impossible to avoid. Disruption of the access and moving things in and out of the yard is also a huge worry. I’m not against development, but I feel this is an oversized project and needs to be scaled back.”
Local businesses and residents in the area warned the council they would be massively disrupted during the construction of the new accommodation. Parking in the area is already very crowded, and the only access for vehicles to the site is through a tiny alley.
Erica Dubuisson, a local shop owner, said: “Council reports said local businesses would be supported by a rate reduction, but I don’t pay rates nor do most of the businesses that will be affected. So we won’t have any support and we will close. Most dwellings in the area are currently occupied by long term residents who make a strong, supportive community.”
Plans for the scheme first came to the development control committee six weeks ago, when other residents and businesses warned of problems with traffic, overshadowing of existing homes, and the transient nature of the guests affecting the local community feel in the yard. But councillors voted to defer making a decision, until first visiting the site in person.
Colin Pemble, representing the developers, said: “It’s an interesting site, it’s unusual and constrained, and there are challenges. It’s not ideal but we can make it accessible. The architects have done a very good job of fitting a contemporary building into the existing townscape. There are challenges with the construction, but they can be overcome.”
Some councillors wanted to defer the scheme until they received more information on transport upgrades. But the vote on granting permission was tied, with three councillors voting in favour, three against, and one abstaining. Chair of the committee Cllr Richard Eddy used his power to give the casting vote, approving planning permission for the scheme.
Cllr Eddy said: “As a council we’re seeking to build on brownfield land, particularly in the city centre, rather than reach out and build on virgin greenfield land. Of course, there are major implications to this, not least the possible inconvenience and impact on the neighbours. We need to have a very robust construction management plan.”
