Clifton and Hotwells Improvement Society (CHIS)

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CHIS Planning Applications

Gill Blakeman (Planning Coordinator).
Comments about planning applications to: Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development, Brunel House, St Georges Road, Bristol BS1 5UY. email: development.management@bristol.gov.uk Telephone: 0117 9223976

Closure of Planning Reception, Brunel House

It is no longer cost effective for the number of visits to the reception, which has fallen from 50 /day to 50/week, to keep two officers just sitting on reception. You now need to make a call to the planning office saying which application was wanted and giving them enough time to get the documents out. Apparently some of the older information is now kept off site near the Create Centre so if you are looking for background information that needs to be collected from there they would need 24 hours to get the documents over to Brunel House. Any new applications are kept in house so only a short period of notice is needed. They are also talking about getting some larger screens installed in planning reception so that people can look at drawings on screen. Apparently a number of applications are now submitted online so that it is costly for the planners to print them out for people to look at on paper. It is therefore going to be more usual to have to look at drawings on screen.
I understand that there is going to be a 3 month trial period after which we can feed back any problems we have found with the new system. Let me know how the service works for you if you use it so that we can make sure that comments are taken account of. The bonus is that all applications including tree applications are now going to be scanned and put on line.
There are a number of Customer Service points where the application drawings can be viewed free of charge on PublicAccess, the council planning application service
Customer Service Point addresses

• Bedminster 2-3 Waring House, Redcliff Hill, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6TB
• Fishponds Robinson House, Hockeys Lane, Fishponds, BS16 3HL
• Hartcliffe Symes House, Peterson Square, Hartcliffe, BS13 0BD
• Knowle Salcombe House, 147 Salcombe Road, Knowle, BS4 1AB
• Lawrence Weston Ridingleaze House, Ridingleaze, Lawrence Weston, BS11 0QE
• Phoenix Court Bond Street South, Bristol, BS1 3PH
• Southmead Southmead House, Greystoke Ave, Southmead, BS10 6BQ
• All Public Libraries.

Monthly Report

We do inform ourselves regarding every planning application by looking at the details. We are also now involved in many pre-applications.

Current month's applications (updated 3 March 2010. Gill's and Conservation Advisory Panel notes are in italics. Where marked *** CHIS has objected).

Previous Planning Notes

• February 2010 applications
• January 2010 applications
• December 2009 applications
• November 2009 applications
• October 2009 applications
• September 2009 applications
• August 2009 applications
• July 2009 applications
• June 2009 applications
• May 2009 applications
• April 2009 applications
• March 2009 applications
• February 2009 applications
• January 2009 applications

Weekly lists for BS8

We are now showing the official Bristol City Council weekly lists for BS8 (always 2 weeks behind the application being put in, but before the application is put on the lamp post) for more uptodate information.
Note that if you need help to comment about an application, you should join CHIS!

Watching planning applications is a lot easier than it used to be now that application details are on web sites. They help you monitor:

• Demolition of suburban homes to build high density flats on the site of the houses and their gardens.
• The protection of wildlife corridors in both towns and in the countryside.
• Proposals to close local shops and other amenities and change the use to residential.
• The loss of suburban green space due to new build houses in back gardens.
• Expansions to bars and restaurants creating night life districts in formerly residential areas.
• New placements of phone masts or pylons close to homes and schools.
• The protection and improvement of local green spaces, parks and nature reserves.
• Proposals for local landmark buildings that are in need of renovation.

Applications currently or recently being considered by CHIS

More details can be found on this web page

• 09/03895/F and 09/03913/LC Christian Science Church, Kensington Place BS8 3AH
  Full demolition of church and erection of 8 apartments
  granted at Developmnent committee meeting. 5 for, 3 against
  Recomended for refusal. To be considered at Development Control (Central) 3 Feb 6pm
• 71 Princess Victoria Street Bristol BS8 4DD Jan 10: Application No. 10/00149/F Type of Application: Full Planning Proposal: Change of use of former garage to an office (Use Class B1), including alterations to the front elevation and modifications to the roof.
  
• Site Address: 27 The Mall Bristol BS8 4JG
  
• A/10/2121026.NWF: Appeal to Planning Inspectorate. Views submitted by 15 March. Progress and comments can be made to http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs
  10/00104/X Type of Application: Variation/Deletion of a Condition Proposal: Removal of condition no. 2 of approval ref. 09/04196/F, in order to use the whole of the ground floor space as Use Class A3.
  This is 393 square metres so could be a huge restaurant! More details
  09/04196/F
  granted- but no more than 35% of the space can be A3
  Proposal: Change of use of the ground floor unit from use class A1 (retail) to use class A1 (retail), A3 (restaurant and cafe) or A4 (Drinking establishments) or a combination thereof.
  Please write in before 2 December This is 393 square metres so could be a huge restaurant!
  More details
• Pre-application: land off Princes Lane (to the rear of 412 Hotwell Road).
  Dec 09: 09/05158/VC : Proposal now change to remove all the orchard trees in order to prepare the land for potential development pre-planning.
  Comment by 26 January
  Dec 09: Strongly objected to by CAP
  Oct 09: The developer presented rationale behind the proposed massing of the single dwelling and how the design ensures the house blends into its setting (using photomontages). The proposal seeks to retain an open space aesthetic, incorporate ‘green’ technology & positively preserve the site setting.
  Strongly objected to by CHIS
• There will be a drop-in evening at Globe Sports, Jacob's Wells Road on 8 December between 17:30 and 19:30 to display the revised proposals. Please find the attached flier outlining the details should you wish to attend.
  Spencer Back Director AngusMeekArchitects The Cedars, 60 Arley Hill Cotham, Bristol, BS6 5PP t +44 (0)117 9428286 f +44 (0)117 9420495 e sback@angusmeek.co.uk
• Application No 09/02750/LD; 99 Queens Road Clifton Bristol BS8 1LW
  Type of Application Listed Building Consent (Demolish)
  Proposal Demolition of existing two storey retail outlet and associated car parking for redevelopment to four storey residential.
  24 Sep: Refused
  Pronto Print to be demolished and replaced with a 4 storey building 8 S/C flats by Andrew Wotton Associates who were appointed after they gained approval on the adjoining property (101) .
  
  
  Note only 3.8 metre away from grade II listed 20 Richmond Hill
• Portcullis, 3 Wellington Terrace 09/00802/F. Retention of timber decking of the yard area to the rear of the pub in order to create a customer beer garden for 40. Provision of covered pergola.
  Dec 09: Refused- the use of the yard as a beer garden does not require planning permission and the proposed terracing and paving materials will not have a harmful effect on the listed building, we have refused the application under delegated powers for the following reason:
  The raised terrace paving will facilitate the increased use of this area by customers resulting in a detrimental effect on the amenities of the local residents by reason of increased noise and disturbance contrary to policy ME4 of the Bristol Local Plan 1997.
  The accompanying application for listed building consent has been approved as this solely relates to the terracing and materials to which there is no objection.
  July 09: Refused due to detrimental effect on the amenities of the local residents by reason of increased noise and disturbance contrary to policies S8 and EC1 of the Bristol Local Plan. Also because timber decking is not a suitable material for a traditional building. The works are poorly considered and lack quality and design and relate poorly to their immediate local context. The works fail to preserve the local building and its setting contrary to sections 16(2) and 66 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and Policy B13 of the Bristol Local Plan
• Sutton House, Clifton Down, BS8 3HT
  October 2009: dormer window and conservatory still there
  CAP (Conservation Advisory Panel) June 09:
  The Panel was very disappointed that this application for retrospective consent had been granted. This would set a regrettable precedent. See their comments, full story and pictures
  5 June 09: Mr Hale has advised that the conservatory company has been contracted to begin works on 18 July 2009, as this is the earliest date that was available, and that the conservatory structure will take approximately 2 weeks to be completed. He also intends to carry out the removal of the dormer at this time. Should the works proceed without any complications, the outstanding elements should be completed around the first week of August 2009.
  Apr 09: The dormer window inserted into the rear roof elevation is unauthorized. Failure to remove it and restore the roof back to its original appearance within 2 months from this date of decision 09/00299/LA (26 March 2009) will likely result in further prosecution proceedings being taken by the Council.
  Mar 09 Council brought prosecution proceedings against Mr Hale regarding recent construction of rear dormer and unauthorised demolition of front boundary wall.
  Plea of Guilty. Fine levied of £3,000 for dormer, £2,000 for wall. Costs £1,674+£15 surcharge.
  11 Feb 09:09/00299/LA Granted on 26 March
  Proposal:
  • i. Demolition of existing aluminium conservatory and replacement with new painted aluminium conservatory (800mm lower than existing unauthorised conservatory);
  • ii. Provision of a rooflight/sunpipe;
  • iii. Removal of unauthorised dormer window on rear of property;
  • iv. Replacement of rear UPVC casement window with painted timber sliding sash window;
  • v. Retention of rebuilt front boundary wall, vehicular access position and modified entrance gate.

Length of time for comment on individual applications

There is 3 weeks grace from the receipt of a letter giving notice of an application and about 5 weeks from the date of registration.
Each time an application is put on the same property, you must write again. Previous letters are ignored since they were for a different application proposal.
Anyone who feels they might like to speak at a Development Committee Planning Meeting must book a slot early - midday on the day before the meeting. A good showing from passionate local people should play well- but do not speak for more than 3 minutes, only present the main points of your objection since it should have been read earlier by the panel, and do try to orchestrate the campaigners to make sure each puts forward different points. Councillors can be very responsive to a gathering of local objectors, which is perhaps no surprise given that they are elected officials.
Any letter written about an application will be summarised in the delegated report. The Development Committee will not see the individual letters, only the planners report, so do write again having looked at the planners report, making sure you put your main points succintly.
Do write as individuals against a particular development, making sure to state your context (resident, neighbour, local shopkeeper etc). Comments about planning applications to: Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development, Brunel House, St Georges Road, Bristol BS1 5UY. Telephone: 0117 9223976
You can search for planning applications, decisions, site histories and appeals via Bristol City Council public Access website, and on the national planning website http://www.ukplanning.com (see the useful website section for more details)

More Information

Our page Planning Advice and Information includes

• Community Involvement
• Trees
• Conservation Planning - contains details about which policy points you should quote in your comments. It is no good just saying something is ugly.
• Planning Classes
• Height Matters
• Fighting the developers

Annual Planning reports

• Planning Report August 2007- August 2008
• Planning Report August 2006- August 2007
• Planning Report August 2005- August 2006
• Planning Report August 2004- August 2005
• Planning Report August 2003- August 2004
• Planning Statistics August 2003- August 2004

Useful websites:

Information about planning applications is now available:

• the Bristol City Council website
• on the national planning website http://www.ukplanning.com. .
• our BS8 weekly lists, and monthly summary
• Planningfinder.co.uk is a free to use internet portal for everyone. They send you an email whenever a planning application is submitted close to your registered postcode. PlanningFinder works by searching for applications on local authorities' websites and then calculates which ones are close to you. The service is for anyone who values their environment, be it town or country, who wants to know about changes which could affect the character of their locality.
• Bristol Neighbourhood Planning Network Bristol NPN is a voluntary, self-help network of neighbourhood based, resident Ied groups within Bristol who are or want to be involved in the planning of their area either through the production of a local plan and/or making comments upon planning applications.
• Planning Aid is a voluntary service offering free, independent and professional advice on town planning matters to community groups and individuals who cannot afford to employ a planning consultant.
• planning portal that puts you in touch with planning services throughout Scotland, England & Wales. Working in partnership with local authorities. Planning Doctor very useful for independent answers
• Network of Residents' Association (includes section on housing legislation)
• BBC
• Bristol City Council
• Bristol City Council Sustainable Development (includes SD Guide for Construction)
• Bristol City Council Conservation and Historic Environment
• Bristol Local Plan (see chapter 4 for definitions of policies B1-22)
• BBC web site about planning matters
• Campaign for Planning Sanity- free advice line for local communities and campaign groups affected by adverse planning
• Planning Inspectorate. Gives notes for the guidance of Inspectors as well as for the campaigners for appeals and public inquiries
• The Open Spaces Society. This society protects common land and public rights of way; it can also help to register a new ‘green’. The address is Open Spaces Society, 25a Bell Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BA
• Images of England is a ‘point in time’ photographic library of England’s listed buildings, recorded at the turn of the 21st century.
  You can view over 300,000 images of England’s built heritage from lamp posts to lavatories, phone boxes to toll booths, mile stones to gravestones, as well as thousands of bridges, historic houses and churches.
  The site brings together the English Heritage online "list" of listed buildings, The "Images of England" website (which also includes most listed buildings but also has pictures of some) and the "pastscape" site which has archeological records. All of these were available before but it is nice that they are in one place.
• The HER - which stands for Historic Environment Records (otherwise known as the SMR- Sites and monuments record) has also been available online for a while along with various other resources e.g Take a look at the following page on the English Heritage site http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1518 The joy of this latest site appears to be that it searches several of these at once

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