CHIS News
CHIS IS 41 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR!The following news items are listed with the latest items first.
Because so much happens I have created an archive page, because past history is amazing!
Forthcoming events summary
More details further down this page. See CHIS events too.- Second Sunday every month: Gardening Working Party. contact info@friendsofbrandonhill.org for more information
- Jan 2012: All but 2 A boards have returned!
October 2011: Consultation on A board policy ratified. Enforcement will start in Clifton Village. 7 boards removed - 11 January 2012 3-6pm: Create Centre, Smeaton Road. Drop in event about Brunel Swivel Bridge Project. See the plans, hear the ideas, see the site and let us have your views.
- Monday January 23rd
Time: 7.45:
The Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society
(www.bgas.org.uk)
Burgum and Catcott, 18th Century Bristol Pewterers
presented by: Alyson & Mike MarsdenThey were joined in a very interesting, eccentric and ill matched partnership and their lives had a huge impact on the enduring history of Bristol in the second half of the 18th century.
Burgum's portrait is on the top floor of the Georgian House and a painting of Catcott was in the Bristol Central Library in 1931. (Catcott's painting has been lost for some time, we hope it may resurface in the future.)
Venue: Apostle Room, Clifton Cathedral, Pembroke Road, Clifton (ample free parking; nos 8 and 9 buses close by)
Cost £1, students free ALL WELCOME
- 28 January 6:30pm: The Pavilion, Hannover Quay. Cabot, Clifton and Clifton East Neighbourhood Partnership meeting.
- 5 March 6:45: Clifton High School. Clifton and Clifton East Neighbourhood Forum. Your chance to find out what is happening locally
- 28 March 6:30pm: The Pavilion, Hannover Quay. Cabot, Clifton and Clifton East Neighbourhood Partnership meeting.
- Nov/Dec/Jan: Development Committee (comments to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk)
about the development on the side of the Gorge.
11/01883/F, 11/01884/LA: Proposed residential dwelling, with associated access onto Princes' Lane, car parking, amenity space and refuse storage. Works to existing boundary walls. A 5 double bedroomed residence on the side of the Gorge. "The secret garden"More detail. Invisible landmark building! This is being strongly contested by CHIS. Planners Report will be available 1 week before - 15 october: Next plaque to Professor Cecil Powell who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1950. A replacement at the Old Vic Theatre School. See plaque page
- 17 Nov: Clifton Suspension Bridge are starting the process of applying to build a visitor centre in their works yard on the Leigh Woods side. An exhibition will be unveiled on Thursday 17 november at Burwalls from 12.00 to 7.00pm, and thereafter be on display at the existing visitor centre outside Burwalls until 30 November. The proposals will also be online from 17 November at www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/heritagecentre.
- 9 January: Neighbourhood Forum 6:30pm. Clifton High School
- 24 January: Neighbourhood Partnership 7pm. The Pavilion, 1 Hannover Quay BS1 5JE
Chesterfield Hospital
- Installing secure hoarding around the perimeter of the site
- Erection of the tree protection zones in conjunction with the arboriculturalist
- Erection of scaffolding and protective shrouding around the Grade JJ* listed building to protect it from the rigours of the impending winter weather
Suspension Bridge Hangers
October 2011: The work entails replacing two of the longest hangers, which are 12 metres and 14 metres long and together weigh around a third of a tonne. They were hoisted into position using a cherry-picker. Straps with strain gauges held the strain while each rod was removed. A further eight hangers are being replaced without the need to disrupt traffic.![]() |
![]() Note the bridge spanner being put to good use, and the strain gauges at the base of each of the two straps used to take the strain while the rod is removed |
101 Queens Road
The developers confirmed at the inquiry that they would not go ahead with the plans 08/05172/F to extend the building by two storeys since it is not financially viable. The current choice is between a neutral two floor building and a five floor building on a prominent corner. More details
Tables and chairs
- Tables and chairs policy to be ratified late 2011
- The Boston Tea Party 39 Regent Street Bristol BS8 4HR
Application No. 11/01792/F
Proposal Proposed change of use of the highway to allow the placement of tables and chairs on the pavement.- 6 January 2012: Appeal allowed with the proviso that ony 2 tables and 4 chairs are placed outside as opposed 6 tables and chairs
- August: Now gone to appeal.
- March 2011: Refused due to inadequate pavement width.
Streetscape section shows recommended policy regarding pavement widths
Museum of Bristol
From July 23-31st there was an exhibition called Pride of Place in which community groups from all over the city will put on displays about their particular area. CHIS created a display featuring the Clifton in Bloom Competition, Bristol Community Gardens, The Clifton Rocks Railway, and forty years of CHIS activity.
Plaque unveiling
Saturday 4 June 11am 1 Windsor Terrace: Unveil Plaque to Edward St John Daniel VC
plaque |
Unveiling by Christopher Daniel, a descendant. Accompanied by the Lord Mayor's trumpeter |
Cumberland Basin
4-5 June: The Hotwells Community Association have a bold plan to breathe life into the derelict area beneath the Cumberland Basin flyover. It is a disgrace that Sylvia Crow’s bold and imaginative landscaping scheme of fifty years ago has been allowed to deteriorate into drab soullessness. They have a vision which will be inaugurated on June 4 and 5th by an Arts Festival, followed on September 4th by a Village Fete. All CHIS members are encouraged to visit both events, and they need artists, performers, stalls, entertainers etc. Anyone who wants to be actively involved should contact Ray Smith at ray.smith@gmx.comBoyces Avenue
Second Consultation regarding revised pedestrianisation of Boyces Avenue ended Dec 2010.The zone is currently proposed to operate between the hours of 10am and 6pm, Monday to Sunday. Bollards will be raised during these times to prevent vehicular access. Bicycles will also be prohibited during these hours. Loading and parking in the zone will only be possible outside of these hours. Kings Road would be made two way to permit loading and access for short-stay parking for disabled drivers. Tel: 0117 903 6856 Email: david.sarson@bristol.gov.uk
150 years of the Downs
22 May: The Downs was given to the citizens of Bristol 150 years ago by the Merchant Venturers. There was a Victorian Picnic from midday onwards organised by the Friends of the Downs and Gorge. A variety of entertainments and stalls were planned. Incidentally if you are not already a member of FODAG, which runs Deep Litter Collections, a Butterfly Transect, a dusk to dawn Mammal Watch on July 23/24th, and has a variety of meetings, send £10 to Robin Haward, whose contact is robinhaward@blueyonder.co.uk , tel 974 3385Clifton a Cumulative Impact Area
Tuesday 18th Jan 2pm: At Cabinet meeting, Clifton was ratified as a Cumulative Impact Area at last. Map. More information in licensing section. We wish to thank Guy Pultney, Barbara Janke and Trevor Blythe for all their support and hard work. At the Cabinet meeting Barbara and Trevor thanked us for our for strong support and hard work bringing this together. Particular thanks are due to Maggie Shapland, who has worked tirelessly with us on this matter.Easter Garden, High Street BS8 2YE
- REFUSED
26 Jan 2011:
10/05468/F
Proposal Change of use of land for private use, with retained access path across the site. Erection of timber shiplap panel fencing 1950 mm high around the perimeter of the site. - 30 Jun 2010:RESIDENTS leapt to the defence of a community garden in Clifton when a landowner arrived unexpectedly and
tried to fence part of it off.
Up to 40 people warned off three men who had arrived to erect a two-metre high fence around a section of Easter Garden,
which is between Wesley Place and High Street, just off Blackboy Hill.
People living in the area say they have established the right to use the site as a garden over the years and
insist the sloping plot full of plants is protected by planning laws.
The attempt to erect the fence was then abandoned and Mr Singh, who is based in Enfield, London, has now been advised by the city council to outline his plans for the site. Ilse Hambrook, secretary of the Friends of Easter Garden, said she was pleased Mr Singh had been unable to block off part of the land, which has a right of way running through it. She said: "This is not a simple case of 'I own the land so I can put a fence around it'. "This land has a 14-year history of stop orders and secretary of state decisions. The council and police have told Mr Singh to go through the planning process in order to get anywhere. "I doubt he will get planning permission on the land." - 28 Oct 2009: Easter Garden being targeted again! The solicitors are on the case again, and Bristol City Council and CHIS also support
this award winning community garden. Do become a friend and support them.
For Sale By Public Auction Wednesday 28TH October 2009 Price Guide £38, 000+ A freehold site with development potential. The land is situated in a residential area close to the intersection of Whiteladies Road and Upper Belgrave Road. The plot has main road frontage to Wesley Place and the High Street to the rear. In June 1994 planning consent (thus lapsed) was granted for 2 houses (planning ref no. 93/02302/F). We are advised in September of the same year, planning was granted for use as a community wildlife garden.
Bristol Museum & Art Gallery
have started a monthly programme of FREE archive film nights. The monthly film night continues with footage from the vaults of Bristol Record Office, which offer a fascinating insight into the changing face of Bristol over the last century. Future screenings include:- Wednesday 23 February at 6.15pm - 'A Night at the Cinema'
- Wednesday 30 March at 6.15pm- 'The Changing Face of Bristol'
- Wednesday 23 April at 6.15pm - 'The Citizens of Bristol at War'
- Wednesday 25 May at 6.15pm- A Pot-pourri of Bristol Archive film
Cumberland Basin flyover
Plans are underway to reinstate the former Cumberland Piazza in Hotwells as an attractive public open space.More details. Lottery funding will be sought.Bridge Valley Road
Repairs on Bridge Valley Road started in March 2010 and were only meant to last a month, however they could now stretch until Autumn 2011. The time since the closure has been taken up by an extensive geo-technical survey, designing the method of repair, tendering the work to specialist contractors and negotiating the £2 million-plus project (see below)The retaining wall bowed out an unacceptable amount and now tenders will have to go out to specialist engineers to stitch the rocks, fill in part of the Port and Pier Railway tunnel number 2. Expenditure will have to be approved at Cabinet in September 2010 when detailed design has been received. The Gorge also has rare flora here. It is likely to cost £2.2 million to reopen, or £2.05 just to make safe. Maggie was privileged to go into the tunnel (as an industrial archaeologist) for a feature on the news along with Gary Hopkins the councillor in charge of transport, and Phil Lloyd who has looked after the Gorge for the last 30 years
Gary being interviewed on Points west inside the tunnel |
Fitting sign to entrance of tunnel 1 |
Tunnel 1 is 73 yards long and after closure of the railway was used to store Council records and Museum and Art gallery treasures during WWII
Tunnel 2 only about 30 yards away is 175 yards long and used as a WWII shelter. This was the tunnel that the BBC wanted to use but refused- which is why they ended up in Clifton Rocks Railway
Victoria Square walls
17 Feb: Victoria Square: Good news- The walls are being repaired![]() broken capping |
![]() weeds growing in wall |
![]() contrary to belief- Clifton did lose railings during WWII which did not prevent people dropping into basements! |
Site Allocations and Development Management Options
Bristol City Council wants to involve you in considering the future use of land in Bristol and would like your input into the Site Allocations and Development Management Options Document. Consultation on this document started on Monday 14th June 2010.All documents, including sustainability appraisal information, will be available on our website (supported by interactive mapping and an on-line questionnaire) (see:www.bristol.gov.uk/siteallocations). Paper copies of the Options Document will be available to view in local libraries and customer service points from Wednesday 16th June.
This document builds upon the Call for Sites which many people contributed to in autumn 2008, and sets out draft proposals for allocating land to meet the city's development requirements up to 2026 as set out in the submitted Core Strategy (see www.bristol.gov.uk/bdf). Different options for the use of potential development sites are identified for comment. A variety of uses are proposed across the city, including housing, business, industry, mixed-use and Gypsy and Travellers' residential sites.
In addition, the document proposes to designate land within the city for a number of different uses. These designations propose to protect or safeguard land, for example, for important open space, industry and warehousing, nature conservation or transport infrastructure, or where specific policies apply, such as to town, district and local centres.
The final section of the document presents ideas for new Development Management policies which will give detailed guidance on issues to be taken into account when planning decisions are made.
We have arranged a series of drop-in events in each of the Neighbourhood Partnership Areas around the city for people to come along to. Parks Officers will also be at these drop-ins to answer questions about the Area Green Space Plans which will be consulted on during the same period (see www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Environment-Planning/Parks-and-open-spaces/information-and-advice/bristol-parks-and-green-space-strategy.en?page=2). The drop-in events will run from Midday until 8 pm on the following days, and further drop-in events are currently being arranged in a central location: Comments can be submitted via our on-line questionnaire. You may also wish to suggest additional policies or sites.
Website:www.bristol.gov.uk/siteallocations
E-mail:bdf@bristol.gov.uk
Freepost:Site Allocations (CD/BH)
Freepost BS6529
BRISTOL
BS1 5BR
Telephone: 0117 903 6725
This is an important opportunity for you to influence the future of your area and we look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Sarah O'Driscoll,
Service Manager,
Strategic Planning,
Strategic Planning Team,
City Development,
Bristol City Council,
0117 90 36725
www.bristol.gov.uk/bdf
POLICY FOR REGULATING THE PLACING OF TABLES AND CHAIRS ON THE HIGHWAY
There has been a 6 week consultation with the following persons:-(a) Avon and Somerset Police
(b) Holders of Premises licenses under the Licensing Act 2003
(c) Local residents groups
(d) Local business representatives
In Clifton village for example, the arrangement of tables and chairs outside of some licensed premises has created difficulties for wheelchair users. Aesthetically it is also noticeable that the increase in the variety of street furniture being used by traders does not always contribute to the street scene.
Any consultation responses be reported to a meeting of the Licensing Special Purposes Sub Committee convened to consider the adoption of policy with a view to it taking effect at the end of 2010
- Issue of Permissions: A permission will be issued for a maximum period of twelve months. All permissions will expire, unless renewed, by the date specified in the permission. If a cheque for a permission fee renewal is dishonoured by a bank this will result in the revocation of the permission unless payment of the outstanding fees is made within 5 working days.
- The council has arranged for its Licensing Committee and/or delegated officers to deal with matters relating to the granting of permission to place tables and chairs on the highway.
- Fees will be set to reflect the cost of operating the scheme and will be reviewed on an annual basis.
- A clear pedestrian route shall be maintained for those walking past the premises. This should preferably be adjacent to the kerb to ensure that most pedestrians and particularly those with visual impairments can maintain their regular route. There should normally be a minimum width of 1.8 metres. Emergency exits from adjacent buildings must not be obstructed by the seating area.
New Neighbourhood Partnership
www.bristolpartnership.org Next meeting for the Cabot, Clifton and Clifton East Partnership. All welcome www.bristol.gov.uk/meeting5 October 2010, Council House 7pm-9pm.
This is a chance for you to air your views of Bristol City Council Services For more details contact Ariaf Hussain on (0117) 922318 or email ariaf.hussain@bristol.gov.uk
At the meeting on 2nd March it was resolved that:
- pedestrianisation of Boyces Avenue and Kings Road, Tyndalls Park Road and Woodland Road should be progressed as priorities, as would areawide minor signs and road lining
- road surface dressing schemes to be implemented in Kingsdown Parade and Cliftonwood Road
- footway schemes to be implemented in Princess Victoria Street (to the Mall), Colston Avenue. Cotham Hill, ZigZag path, St Stephens Street, Nelsons Street
Bristol is establishing 14 Neighbourhood Partnerships (NPs) across the city. These will be clusters of two or three wards, ie 20-30K people. A few of these structures are already well established. Most are in their very early stages.
- One aim is to provide a mechanism for holding departments of the council, Primary Care Trust, Police etc more accountable for locally delivered services.
- A second aim is to involve local people in the identification of priorities and the design, implementation and evaluation of solutions.
The NPs themselves will be drawn from local residents (in practice that usually means local organisations), local businesses and elected representatives, ie councillors. These, hopefully, will build productive links with officers paid to deliver services in particular areas. It's early days yet, but the talk is of a transfer of some budgets to these bodies and that they will become significant players in determining 'neighbourhood' agendas. Some even talk of 'urban parishes', but that's way down the line.
The most successful NPs, so far, are those that have shown themselves to be independent of the statutory organisations and really interested in empowering local people.
NPs, we are told, will be the main focus and forum of neighbourhood working in the future for statutory agencies. Working with your NP is likely to be a good way to win friends and influence people. Time will tell....
The Neighbourhood Planning Network (NPN) http://www.bristolnpn.net administration group will identify those NPs in which there is no Bristol NPN member or the organisation is only concerned with part of the area and do what they can to get a good Bristol NPN representation in all the NP areas. They don't know how (or if) this is going to work in practice.
HOTWELLS, CLIFTON AND CLIFTONWOOD LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY
The aim of the society is to bring together everyone who is interested in the huge diversity of historical riches in the area.
Treasures gives an opportunity for invited people to share their enthusiasm about something special for 5 minutes each. By popular request invited local people will talk for around five minutes about something of interest.
Good news! There will be more time for people to get together afterwards to talk and enjoy a drink. Please bring along anything of interest to display!
There will be no charge but a collection will be taken to defray the costs. PLEASE TELEPHONE O1179277157 or e.mail sue.stops@aolcom to reserve a place.
West Bristol Art Trail
The dates are 16th & 17th October.After a fantastically successful inaugural year, the West Bristol Art Trail is back for 2010 and bigger than ever. This year the trail twists its path through the work of 120 artists exhibiting in over 50 homes and venues throughout the area. You will discover ceramicists, filmmakers, jewellers, painters, photographers, printmakers, sculptors and textile artists as you follow the trail from its bed in Hotwells and the richly historic docks, through a maze of cobbled lanes and secret passages to the summit, the Georgian stateliness of Clifton and as far as Blackboy Hill.
CHIS has been a major sponsor again
More details on http://www.westbristolarts.org.uk/
Removal of grade II listed lamp post in Clifton Park
21 Sept 09: A grade II listed lamp post has recently been removed from Clifton Park just by the Roman Catholic Cathedral. It was knocked down by a Council dustcart. It was a particularly fine specimen with very ornate ladder rests, and had a traditional lantern. It also had a separate adjacent feeder pillar so was electrically safe too. It was also a very substantial post so very unlikely to have rotted. We are trying to get it repaired and put back under insurance. Any person looking at this post should surely have been aware that it was out of the ordinary. It was even well looked after and freshly painted! Pictures and more detail can be seen on the streetscape sectionBrunel Swivel Bridge
This project has been supported by CHIS for many years.-
Brunel Bridge plan dropped
29 December 08: Plans for a Festival Way cycling and walking route from Hotwells to Ashton Court and on to Nailsea were intended to bring back into use Brunel's 160 year
old swing bridge that crossed the entrance lock at the western end of the Cumberland Basin. The bridge ceased to be used in 1968 after the new flyover system was built but remains in situ in the 'open' (to navigation) position in the shadow of the high level swing bridge and flyover system.
But a recent < a href="http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/schemes/project_detail.php?id=25"> press release from Sustrans says "The path will cross new lock gates at Brunel's old swing bridge in the Cumberland Basin before going under the flyover". The use of the word "at" rather than "on" (Brunel's bridge) is much more significant than a quick reading would suggest, although the word "near" would be more honest. This confirms suspicions that Bristol City Council are reluctant to restore the historic bridge to working order and will come as a great disappointment to those Bristolians who have pressed for this over many years. Chris Hutt, Green Bristol Blog
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Brunel Swivel Bridge
Brunel Swivel Bridge - 15 January 08: People from across the UK voted for which bid should get the money from the People's £50 Million Lottery
contest. Sustrans got nearly half the 300,000 votes cast following head-to-head TV bidding. It beat the Eden Project,
Sherwood Forest and the Black Country Urban Park.
One route Sustrans is planning is Festival Way, linking central Bristol to the Ashton Court Estate, continuing to Long Ashton through Flax Bourton, Backwell, and ending in Nailsea.
The Cumberland Basin will be made much easier to use for pedestrians and cyclists, and Brunel's Swivel Bridge, which has been closed since the late 1960s, will be reopened. It is likely that £250,000 is earmarked for its restoration.
David Neale and Ross Floyd's illustrated web page on The Bristol City Docks, The Locks and Brunel's Swivel Bridge
- Director of the Museums Service - Kate Brindley,
- the Head of City Development - David Bishop and the Chief Executive - Jan Ormondroyd.
- Councillors include Bristol's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure - Cllr Roaslie Walker and the Leader - Cllr Helen Holland.
Ten Ideas for CHIS
We would be interested to know if you have any bright ideas for Clifton projects to make Clifton an even better place to live! Contact Maggie.Shapland@bristol.ac.ukUseful websites:
- BBC
- Clifton Online
- Redland and Cotham Amenities Society
- Bristol Civic Society
- Network of Residents' Association
- Civic Trust
- Bristol Evening Post
- Bristol City Council
- BBC
- multimap. Enter a postcode (Smiths, Regent Street, Clifton is BS8 4DU where the bus stops), and see a detailed map of the area.
- Clifton Suspension Bridge website
- Clifton Rocks Railway website




