The developer behind a new project on Stokes Croft wants to install permanent gates onto the site after a series of incidents. The £30 million Carriageworks regeneration is nearing completion, with derelict office buildings on Stokes Croft demolished and turned into flats.
A temporary iron gate was installed on the Stokes Croft entrance to the site during construction to help secure it - but the developer is now seeking planning permission to install two permanent gates. The documents submitted to Bristol City Council state that, over the past 10 months, various incidents of antisocial behaviour have taken place at the site.
It says that the site security company have been called out to investigate criminal or antisocial behaviour on 20 separate occasions since September 2021. These incidents include antisocial behaviour, breaking and entering, criminal damage, intimidation and theft.
Read next: Work under way at former Debenhams could be good news for Broadmead
Last year, the Carriageworks Action Group (CAG), a volunteer group representing residents in Stokes Croft, St Pauls and Kingsdown over the regeneration project, already raised concerns that the Carriageworks was set to become a ‘gated community’, and not an open public space as promised.
The documents state that the incidents have had a "damaging effect" on the amenity, the wellbeing of staff and residents of the development, adding the gates would give would "help give a peace of mind and a greater sense of safety to residents".
"During the construction of the development, the site has been secured by the developer on a temporary basis, primarily for health and safety reasons," it continues.
"In spite of the long list of incidents, the management team consider that these temporary measures have greatly helped reduce the impact of antisocial behaviour on residents. The construction works are largely complete and the temporary security measures are due to be removed.
"Without some form of night time security, it is believed that the frequency and nature of incidents could worsen. The primary purpose of this planning application is to address these issues by increasing security at the site in the long term.
"It is proposed to introduce gates at two of the site access points to prevent incidents of anti-social behaviour when they are most likely to occur. The gates will be open all day, every day, to maintain the open aspect and inclusive nature of the development. However, they will be closed and locked at night between 10pm and 7am for security reasons."
The documents refer to an incident in April this year where a member of staff was threatened and followed into the site, with a second incident in June where an unknown person entered the building and was caught on internal CCTV forcing open an internal code protected door, breaking a security lock and damaging door furniture.
Later that month, an employee's electric bike was also stolen, with the incident being captured on CCTV. The documents state that the two gates would be installed at the entrances along Stokes Croft and the other one along Ashley Road.
The Carriageworks development is now largely complete and occupied, it continues, and the final development comprises 143 apartments and 11 commercial units, along with ancillary and communal facilities.
Read next:
- Full list of Welcoming Spaces as venues open their doors for colder months
Expectant mums told Cossham birth centre could close until Christmas
Work under way at former Debenhams could be good news for Broadmead
- Clean Air Zone start date finally announced
- Floating harbour plans could see over 30 moorings being created
