Bristolians have been urged to keep an open mind on city council plans to develop around 90 ‘brownfield’ sites across the city.
Bristol City Council’s Site Allocations Document has identified 89 brownfield sites in Bristol for building nearly 8,000 new homes. The sites include parcels of land at Hengrove Park and Knowle West. The council is now consulting the public on its ‘preferred approach’ on these sites.
Land and development specialists CJH Land have today urged the public and planners to end years of blight and uncertainty left by derelict properties.
Director Matthew Hiles said appropriate development can help the local authority counter shortfalls in both private and affordable housing – as well as lifting the blight on neighbourhoods created by redundant, derelict and dangerous residential, commercial and industrial premises.
“Residents and neighbours are frequently alarmed by proposals to build houses near their existing homes, but our experience suggests a properly balanced and carefully thought out scheme will usually be to the benefit of the community.
“In the majority of cases a well thought out development which involves thorough public consultation that is going to replace derelict and run down property will enhance the area.
“The most important factor appears to be the uncertainty as to exactly what might happen on any particular site. Our experience has shown an effective housing scheme can lift that uncertainty, give neighbourhoods a much-needed shot in the arm and will often have the benefit of removing property which attracts anti-social or even criminal behaviour.”
While not every site put forward will end up being redeveloped, Mr Hiles added most will be of benefit to the communities involved.
Cabinet Councillor Anthony Negus, who is in charge of regeneration projects in the city, told the Post last month: “Despite the immense scope of this exercise, residents engaged well with the options for most of the sites and left the council with a clear idea of how to proceed to a preferred option.”
