Fishponds residents are fighting a plan for housing for the elderly and disabled due to the potential it could add to local parking pressures. Many residents wrote to Bristol City Council objecting to plans to redevelop the Vassall Centre, due to concerns it would increase traffic.
The Vassall Centre, on Gill Avenue in Fishponds, was built in 1945 as an American military base but for the past few years has been home to many small local charities. Bristol Charities, the centre’s owners, want to redevelop the site and also provide new homes.
But some of the existing car parking spaces would be removed, prompting objections from many people living nearby. Councillors on the development control A committee were due to vote on the plans on April 26, but this was deferred pending a visit to the site.
READ MORE: First look at plans for Vassall Centre to become 'multigenerational neighbourhood'
The plans for the Vassall Centre are split into two phases. The first phase, which is due to be decided on soon, would deliver 40 apartments for older people; and supported housing for people with learning disabilities, with eight bedrooms. The plans also include new office space for charities, a community centre, a nursery and a cafe.
A second phase, which will come later, would see 41 new affordable homes for families. The existing buildings are used as offices, a conference centre and a cafe providing training for people with learning disabilities. Architects said the new buildings would be much more environmentally friendly.
One resident objected to the plans due to the “lack of adequate parking for such a large site”. They commented: “Since November, Oldbury Court Estate is now charging for parking in the park, which has resulted in more people parking on the local streets in order not to pay. The residents fall into a category of age or need where social and medical workers will visit the site frequently, as well as people visiting the community space, office rooms and residents.”
Another resident added: “Parking places have been severely reduced from the current capacity, which would mean even more traffic parking in nearby roads, which already have very limited parking for residents. The increased traffic is going to put a strain on existing tight spots on the roads, making it impossible to move around the neighbourhood without getting caught in queues.”
Other concerns about the plans include the three-storey buildings being too tall for the area, where most other buildings have just two storeys. Some residents living next to the Vassall Centre said their properties could be looked into if the new buildings were three storeys tall.
In planning documents, architects said: “The Vassall Centre currently provides barrier-free work and service provision space for third sector organisations. However, built in 1945 as military accommodation, the existing buildings are at the end of their practical life-span and have a very poor environmental performance.
“Further to re-providing existing workspace, the aspiration is to build upon the centre’s current ethos of accessibility and inclusion and re-develop the site to create an innovative, multi-generational and socially sustainable community. Different generations can mutually benefit from increased interaction with those outside their own age groups.
“Younger people can draw on the life experiences and knowledge of the elderly population, while some studies have found that social interaction has a positive effect on dementia. Furthermore, with a focus on services for disabled people, the aim is that there will be an increased understanding and support towards people living with a disability as well as enabling disabled people to engage with the community.”
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