The site lies within the Bedminster Green Framework, a place-making report that establishes guiding principles and parameters (heights and mass) for new development on five plots that Council policy has identified for redevelopment. The Society opposed the schemes of the first four developers whose proposals exceeded the Frameworkâs recommendations. The Council discouraged one scheme before planning, refused two planning applications and, we understand, the fourth developer is reconsidering its scheme.
The Society supports this fifth scheme by Sydney Freed (Holdings) that adopts the Frameworkâs recommendations. This scheme would erect two buildings comprising 700 student beds and 600 m2 of flexible workspace on a triangular site bounded by Whitehouse Lane, Dalby Avenue, and Windmill Hill City Farm. Student accommodation in Bedminster would avoid the further concentration of students in the city centre. The image shows the land split into two parts with Clarke Street and the River Malago running north/south through the middle. Most of the site is cleared and ready for development. The developer proposes to upgrade the course of the Malago to make a linear park through the development. The Societyâs full response suggests some improvements to the scheme.
John Frenkel
Full Civic Society response.
