Plans to bulldoze the Vassall Centre in Fishponds and replace it with a new community hub and homes for elderly and disabled people have been approved. Bristol City Council development control committee voted unanimously to grant permission after hearing the positives “far outweighed” the negatives.
A total of 91 objections were received, with concerns including the scale of the proposed three-storey buildings, overshadowing of neighbouring properties, loss of privacy and parking and public transport issues. The application by site owners Bristol Charities was previously deferred so a site visit could take place.
Councillors gave the go-ahead at the committee meeting on Wednesday (May 31) after agreeing the outdated centre, originally a World War Two base for US soldiers, would be greatly improved and that any overshadowing would affect only the borders of nearby gardens. They instructed officers to ensure suitable measures were put in place to address worries about parking and bus services.
Read more: Residents fighting new Bristol neighbourhood plans over parking pressures
The plans are split into two phases, with consent now granted for the first comprising 40 apartments for older people and five for people with learning difficulties, new office space for charities that currently use the centre in Gill Avenue, a community centre, nursery and cafe. A second phase, to come later, would see 41 new affordable homes for families.
Committee chairman Cllr Richard Eddy (Conservative, Bishopsworth) told the meeting: “The contribution the Vassall Centre has made to a wide range of community uses is immense. Having said that, everybody has to accept that we are talking of an adapted 1940s building which isn’t environmentally, or practically, friendly.
“Quite a few of the accesses have been adapted so you now have steps in but they are not modern in terms of disabled access. Bristol Charities should be congratulated for coming forward with an imaginative scheme which will provide the community uses for charities and not-for-profit organisations.
“Because they are phasing the scheme, no one will be evicted – they can carry on and be relocated in due course – and provide affordable social housing, so that has to be positive. As we’ve heard from the neighbours there are genuine concerns.
“I am reassured that the impact of any overshadowing will be exceedingly minor. Overall this is a scheme which demands our support, but clearly the (travel and transport) conditions need to be followed through to ensure the community is safeguarded.”
Cllr Andrew Varney (Lib Dem, Brislington West) said: “I have a great deal of sympathy for the neighbours. When you live in a community for a long time, big change is often difficult to accept, but a three-storey development in an urban context is not unacceptable.
“It is a brownfield site, a sustainable location, it’s replacing outdated buildings, improving community facilities and providing much-needed elderly and specialist accommodation. In many ways it is an exemplary development.”
Cllr Fi Hance (Green, Redland) said: “I can entirely understand the neighbours’ sense of shock because it will be a big difference, but the scheme is acceptable.” Cllr Tom Hathway (Green, Clifton Down) said: “There is a lot to like about this application.
“I appreciate the concerns around overshadowing and we have to recognise there will always be some impact of construction. The fantastic positives far outweigh the limited impact.”
Cllr Chris Jackson (Labour, Filwood) said: “It’s a much-needed improvement in the area. There will be some disruption with the building of it and there will be some people who won’t be happy at the end of it but overall it’s a really good development.”
He said he shared concerns about parking and buses, so sorting that out through conditions and developer financial contributions would be “greatly appreciated by residents”.
'A space that can transform lives'
Julian Mines, CEO of Bristol Charities, said: “We are delighted to have received a unanimous approval of our application by the committee. Our hope is that the development of the entire site will generate significant benefits and impacts both locally and across the city, transforming lives, families, and neighbourhoods, challenging deprivation, injustice, and inequality.
“The combination of providing amazing housing, work, and community spaces will not only enhance the lives and work of those on site but will make a positive contribution to the wider local community. By hosting much needed services, providing places for activities and events, and creating spaces for much needed community activities, the whole site will become a community hub.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the local residents and tenants of the Vassall Centre who have worked with us throughout the consultation process and shared their thoughts and concerns on the plans. We are keen to collaborate with our neighbours and the wider community through the next stages of the development.
“Throughout the past year, we have been developing a Community Programme based here at the Vassall Centre including grants to local people and projects, a Summer and Christmas Fayre, support for people struggling with food poverty, hosting community meals, and developing a family support project.
"Our Community Team will be continuing to work alongside members of the local community here in Oldbury Court and assure local people that they will be involved in the next stages of the redevelopment. We truly hope that the Vassall Centre will flourish into a space that can transform lives though community provision, affordable housing and improved opportunities for local people.”
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