Plans have been approved for a five-storey apartment block in Totterdown next to a pub and music venue.
Developers now have planning permission to build 31 flats on the A4 Bath Road, next to the Thunderbolt, formerly known as the Turnpike Inn.
While local residents had raised concerns about the height of the building, the owner of the Thunderbolt previously said he supported the plans and was not concerned about noise complaints. The apartments closest to the venue will be well insulated, the developers said.
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Bristol City Council’s development control committee voted to grant permission for the scheme on Wednesday, May 18. Councillors urged specific legal protections be brought in to protect the music venue from any future complaints.
Councillor Fabian Breckels said: “I noticed that the Thunderbolt’s owner has supported this application, but it’s absolutely critical that they’re protected because they were here first.”
But council bosses said the venue would be protected from complaints by any future residents of the apartments, and both the developers and venue owners appeared happy.
Gary Collins, senior manager of development management, said: “Quite often when housing is proposed in a compact city like ours, understandably cultural venues will worry about that and be concerned. But it seems to me there’s been good engagement and both parties are happy with the situation.”
Previous plans for the site proposed a nine-storey tall building with 53 apartments, which the council said was too large for the area.
The site is currently a car wash, and was previously a petrol station. It was originally home to Victorian terraced houses, which were knocked down about 50 years ago to build a ring road that was ultimately never built. 30% of the apartments will be affordable, and a centralised air source heat pump will be installed instead of gas boilers.
Stuart Rackham, a planning consultant representing the developers, said: “We have discussed the proposal with the local community, including neighbours, the Thunderbolt pub, local residents, and resident groups. The changes made have led to the scheme receiving significantly more support for the proposal than originally submitted.
“We acknowledge there are still concerns and it’s not 100% supported, but this rarely happens. The proposal ensures this eyesore of a site is redeveloped, providing desperately needed open-market and affordable housing.”
