PLANNING GROUP ANNUAL REPORT 1 AUGUST 2008 - 31 AUGUST 2009
Gill BlakemanLast year’s innovation of encouraging developers to present their plans to the local community before submitting a full planning application has enabled the CHIS Planning Group, together with the Chairman, to be involved in several useful discussions. Those coming under scrutiny:
- Christ Church where they wish to develop ideas for changes to the building to enable it better to meet the needs of its many and varied activities
- Garaway’s, Chantry Road for future development of the old garden centre to residential use.
- Garage adjacent to 1 Alma Vale Road owned by All Saints Church to be developed to a Parish Office with accommodation over. Planning application subsequently refused.
- 91 Princess Victoria Street a 2 storey scheme for office and 2 bed residential. Planning application subsequently withdrawn.
- Clifton Down Road development of existing shopping area with 2 levels of shops and a lowered piazza with some offices but no residential.
- 19 Jacob’s Wells Road as a site for 63 student flats Planning application subsequently withdrawn.
- Chesterfield Hospital, Clifton Hill to be re-opened after having been closed and moved to St Mary’s Hospital, Byron Place.
- Former Christian Science Church, Kensington Place to be demolished and 8 apartments erected with associated car parking.
The flats at the bottom of Church Lane, Clifton Wood are finally complete. They have the merit of being a new hillside terrace, unashamedly modern, and with great views.
Telecommunications masts - After attempts to put a mast on Clifton Green and on the Rodney Hotel, Orange have finally obtained permission for an inoffensive mast on Blackboy Hill, right alongside the old school, with an ugly associated cabinet.
Street clutter - Whiteladies Road now has speed cameras, presumably as a consequence of a New Year’s Day fatal accident at 3.00 a.m. Ugly, intrusive, and for most of the day pointless. There are welcome proposals for more cycle stands in Clifton, less offensive than parked cars, but still more clutter.
The threat of massive development of the green belt in Ashton Marsh and around Long Ashton and Barrow, despoiling the classic views from the Suspension Bridge has moved from being a distant developer’s dream to an actual application.
Members are recommended to refer to the weekly planning lists on the CHIS website and to write to the Planning Department at Brunel House expressing their views on applications that affect them or their neighbourhood. We are always grateful for a copy of the relevant letters.