Plans for 46 homes in Southville slammed as “a slap in the face” and “disappointing on so many fronts” have been narrowly approved by councillors. Bristol City Council development control committee voted 5-4 to grant permission to demolish Castlemead House offices near Asda and build two houses and a five-storey block of 44 flats.
Officers recommended giving the go-ahead despite the proposals having zero affordable homes, but the developers changed their minds and included three of these just days before the meeting after being criticised on social media by the authority’s cabinet member for housing. Seven objections were received, including from BS3 Planning Group and both Green ward councillors who said applicants Land and Buildings Ltd and consultants Pegasus Group had failed to engage with them.
Bristol Tree Forum disputed the agents’ claim that the scheme would result in a biodiversity net gain and said its own calculations showed there would be a net loss, so it should be refused. The meeting on Wednesday evening (April 27) was told the current occupiers, Castlemead Insurance Brokers, needed to move into new premises because the old building was no longer suitable for a modern business wanting to become carbon neutral.
