Councillors have unanimously approved plans for 358 flats in St Pauls despite concerns only one-fifth will be classed as affordable homes and locals are being priced out of the area. Bristol City Council development control committee members called the scheme near the M32, which includes blocks between four and 10 storeys, a central square, pedestrianised thoroughfare and 670sqm of commercial and business space, a “no-brainer” as they voted 8-0 in favour.
Officers had recommended granting permission and told the meeting on Wednesday evening (October 26) that the 20 per cent affordable homes – 72 apartments comprising 54 social rented flats and 18 “first homes” discounted to first-time buyers – complied with policy.
Places for People are the developers behind the proposals to breathe new life into the 1.6-hectare vacant plot in Dove Lane, the site of a former paper factory that was demolished over a decade ago. Cllr Fabian Breckels told the committee: “I really like it. It’s inner city, at the bottom of the M32, it’s a site that’s been allocated, I like the contemporary design and we desperately need the houses.
