The Society has objected strongly to this large development in an area between the New Cut and Victoria Park, abutting a main-line rail embankment. 400 student bedrooms are proposed in a single tower set 45 metres from Victoria Park, and 437 rental flats in 3 blocks, with some workshops, retail and other ground floor possibilities. An ultra-dense car-free development with no public transport connectivity at present.
This “anywhere” proposal is utterly out of keeping with its surroundings with multiple heritage harms. This is a highly controversial scheme with significant well-grounded local opposition. It ruins skylines at roof level and is founded in a flood zone.
The proposal would, through its 19-storey purpose-built student tower and three other bulky accommodation blocks for rent, be widely visible across Bristol and have a devastating effect on the north view from the very popular Victoria Park. The proposed tower is three times the height of the hill and would be clearly visible from the south of the Park, permanently changing its ambience by day and its dark skies status by night. The proposal would also be visible from Park Street, St Michael’s Hill and Clifton, and have devastating precedent effects on the local conservation areas. Historic England are particularly concerned re the effect on the view of Grade One listed St Mary Redcliffe Church.
The scheme aims to provide a huge number of poor quality of life short-tenure flats, almost all single-aspect by design.
The scheme is not compliant with the community-led Whitehouse Street Development Framework. The Framework contains no reference to student accommodation, rather a focus on homes, workspaces and active travel corridors.
You should consider using wording other than objection which is rather ill-favoured by LPAs. More information on this view can be supplied if requested.