390 build-to-rent homes at Barrow Court, 1 Barrow Road, Bristol

“OFFICIAL SUMMARY Planning permission is sought for the redevelopment of a site at the terminus of Barrow Road in Lawrence Hill in order to deliver 390 build-to-rent houses and flats across 5 blocks, ranging in scale from two-storey terraced dwellings (blocks B and C) to apartment blocks of 16, 9, 9 and 8 storeys (blocks E, D and A respectively).”

“RELEVANT HISTORY 86/00118/P | Mixed industrial/warehousing (classes III, IV and X). GRANTED 22 December 1986 96/02294/F | Formation of new pedestrian access to Mecca Social Club site from footpath to the north of Peter's Terrace. GRANTED 6 December 1996 94/10053/U/BDC | Development of 1 food and 1 non-food retail unit. GRANTED 95/10007/U/BDC | Development of 30,000 sq. ft. bingo hall with associated car parking.”

“BACKGROUND The site known as Barrow Court is a roughly 1.2ha area of previously developed land that extends along the south-eastern side of the Bristol-Bath cycle path between St.”

“OFFICIAL To the north-west are Kingsmarsh House and Baynton House, 13 and 11 storey flat blocks built in the 1960’s, as well as a more contemporary development of 2 storey dwellings immediately adjacent to the cycle path. To the east are two storey terraces along Tenby Street, Brentry Avenue and Hemmings Parade, and to the south are a mixture of uses including light industrial uses as well as flats and homes, notably the 4 storey City View apartments.”

“23/04271/SCR | Request for a Screening Opinion as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required for the redevelopment of brownfield land to deliver up to 400 dwellings, public realm, landscaping and access (Please note that this is not a planning application and therefore we are not carrying out public consultation on the proposal at this stage). EIA NOT REQUIRED 19 January 2024”

“CONCLUSION AND PLANNING BALANCE Proposals pose significant benefits through the redevelopment of previously developed and under-utilised brown field land to provide 390 dwelling units in an emerging regeneration area on the edge of the city centre. Affordable housing will be delivered on site as well as substantial ecological uplifts through a comprehensive soft landscaping scheme, improving the quality of the public realm on a constrained site.”

“Recommended planning conditions (including but not limited to the following): • Detailed design matters • Public art • Landscaping (including wind mitigation measures i.e. planting) • Land Contamination & Coal Investigation • Highways (including revised bike storage, details of site new accesses, safeguarding of future access, general arrangement plan, construction management plan, visibility splays etc.) • Construction Environmental Management Plan • Arboriculture…”

“This was a clear example of an underutilised site which was often prey to ASB and crime which had current limited community use. The proposed scheme was imaginative with 10% affordable housing and major transport improvements including the provision of CIL working with the local community. The applicant had consulted well with local groups and ward councillors.”

“The applicant should be commended for the arrangements for the provision for CIL funding and a commitment to working with residents • Whilst there were some reservations about the application, particularly the design, the development would improve a constrained cut off site • It was disappointing that the height of the building could not be maintained at the same level as other buildings in the area and access to the Bristol Bath railway park could not be achieved, as well…”

“Councillor Rob Bryher moved, seconded by Councillor Richard Eddy and, upon being put to the vote, it was…”

“RESOLVED (unanimously) – that the application be approved subject to a planning agreement.”