Consultation on the development of housing in Fishponds.
The Society welcomes the opportunity to be consulted at an early stage on this part of the Atlas Place redevelopment masterplan.
It is proposed that 380 homes at 2- 6 storeys, (all lower than the existing historic industrial chimneys that are retained on site) will be built. That is about 87 homes per acre a similar density to the recent approval in 2023 of 252 homes in total at the of Graphic Packaging part of the masterplan.
The surrounding area is of 2-3 storey residential and 2 storey retail/industrial and the proposals keep to that level generally which is welcomed. The site slopes to the old railway line (now cycle path) by 6m (2 storeys) and so they have placed the taller buildings in this area. Therefore, the scale and massing seem appropriate as do the gardens and wide public areas.
The space around the proposed buildings works well and the applicant has tried to align with the existing urban grain, although it could work better by integrating into the existing more instead of creating dead-end streets.
Architecture is very simple but doesn’t say Bristol or relate to the Victorian heritage of the area. However, there are plenty of post war housing examples to enable a new and refreshing architectural style to evolve.
We wait for further details before formally commenting but are pleased that a sensible and appropriate development could be forthcoming.
Ian Jenkins