New homes could spring up on allotments

BEDMINSTER could see 550 new homes if these housing proposals get the go-ahead.

There are 12 sites that have been earmarked for development, including a former petrol station, a former bingo club, an elderly people's home and allotment land.

A proposed travellers site was also included, for another eight plots on a car parking storage area south of the 12 plots in South Liberty Lane.

The proposal was included in the Site Allocations and Development Management Options Document, which identifies land the city council thinks is suitable for development as housing, shops or employment use in the future.

But the authority has decided to remove all traveller site proposals from the plans and will have another look at them next summer.

Consultation on the document took place in summer 2010, and after a lengthy delay the results are due to be released in March.

The largest single development in Bedminster would be at Alderman Moore's allotments.

This is another site the council says is surplus to requirements despite a shortage of allotments across the city.

At four hectares, it could provide 203 homes if turned over for housing.

Land at and adjacent to Malago House, Bedminster Road, includes large industrial units and a vacant two-storey office block.

There is a gas holder on land to the south and an area of open space to the east.

The council says the site is currently part vacant and underused and has been promoted for mixed-use development by the landowner. It is considered suitable for mixed-use housing and light industry.

If used entirely for housing, at two-and-a-half hectares it could provide 120 homes. But it is in a flood risk zone and near a gas holder.

The former Ashton sidings and engineering depot is now a stone mason's yard. It lies between allotment gardens and the Portishead freight railway line.

The site is accessed via a small bridge and narrow lane from Clanage Road.

It is owned by BRBR Residual and has been declared as surplus to its requirements.

The council has proposed two options – either develop the near two hectares into 90 homes or turn it into a nature conservation site. The land is in a flood risk zone.

The East Street / Dalby Avenue / Stafford Street site is a mixed commercial area between the pedestrianised East Street and Dalby Avenue area.

The recommendation is for a mixed development with 60 houses, offices and shops across more than a hectare.

Officers say any development should improve links between East Street, Bedminster railway station and Windmill Hill. Again, part of the site is in a flood risk zone.

Hayleigh elderly people's home and a former social club in Myrtle Street are considered a single site. Yoga classes are currently provided in the club. The home is one of several across the city that could be closed as part of the council's care home review.

If it is shut then a mixed use development is recommended, including 26 homes, offices and community use across half a hectare.

Garages and workshops in Cooperage Lane could either be developed into housing or a mixed use site that would also include businesses.

If used only for housing the half-hectare site could accommodate 21 homes.

Granby House in St John's Road is a large, historic building that has most recently been used by the NHS. It is not needed by the Primary Care Trust though and has been recommended for 11 homes across a fifth of a hectare.

The North Street site is at 206-208, and includes relatively modern single storey in-fill buildings and a shop. Space at the back is used for warehousing, with vehicle access from a narrow lane from Greville Road.

Officers have put forward two options; either mixed housing and shops or offices and shops. If used for housing, at a fifth of a hectare it would fit ten homes.

The 1930s-style former Gala bingo club in North Street is currently empty and includes a parking area in the forecourt.

Again, two options have been put forward; either offices and shops or houses and shops. At a fifth of a hectare it could fit nine homes.

The site next to Holy Cross Church, Dean Lane, is unoccupied land next to Dame Emily Park. Although it is partly in a flood risk zone it has been recommended for either six homes or business use.

And finally, the former petrol station in Coronation Road has been disused for a number of years. Officers have earmarked it for five homes.

Local councillor Sean Beynon (Labour, Southville) said development was a positive thing but the knock-on effect for school places needed to be considered.

He said: "These are all important sites, which provide the potential for much-needed housing, business or community benefit. However, given the pressure on school places in BS3, the council should first consider whether any of them would be appropriate for new school provision.

"At the moment, the council can't guarantee families in Bedminster and Southville a local school place, and this needs to be addressed urgently."

Council spokeswoman Helen Hewitt said 6,000 people responded to the consultation process.

The results and officer recommendations for each site will be consulted on between March and May.