A final decision on plans to transform the former St Christopher’s School site in Westbury Park into an ‘eco retirement village’ and leisure hub have been delayed. Councillors had been due to discuss the £85m proposals from FORE Partnership and care operator Amicala - which acquired the site following the school’s closure in 2020 - on Wednesday (May 31).
In an update sent out on Tuesday afternoon (May 30), Bristol City Council’s Development Management team said consideration of the application had been postponed “at the request of the applicant”. It comes after planning officers said the plans for the five-acre site, which borders Clifton Downs, would be “unacceptable in terms of design”, and recommended the development for refusal.
Basil Demeroutis, managing partner of FORE Partnership, told BristolLive the group behind the scheme, which also includes development manager Socius, had received confirmation that its plans were now expected to go to committee on July 5. Mr Demeroutis said: “We requested for the decision to be delayed, to allow officer’s more time to review their report. We’ll continue to work closely with Bristol City Council during this period, while we await the outcome of our application to be determined.”
