News / knowle
Bitter dispute ends in permission being granted for 500 new homes
Outline planning permission has been unanimously granted for 500 new homes on the site of a shopping centre in south Bristol.
The now mostly vacant Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle has been at the centre of bitter dispute in recent years.
Among those speaking from the public gallery in the council chamber at City Hall on Wednesday afternoon was Laura Chapman, who launched successful legal action against the council previously granting approval for a hugely controversial earlier scheme on the site that would have included 850 homes.
“It shouldn’t have to be this hard for residents to get listened to,” Chapman said.
The scheme, known as Redcatch Quarter, will retain the existing dentist and library as well as create new community space; with the height of buildings on the western part of the site reduced from 12 to three storeys following the judicial review.
Green councillor for Windmill Hill, Ed Plowden, said it was “a stunning achievement” by the local community to get developers Broadside Holdings to drastically change the scheme from its original incarnation.
Labour councillor Zoe Peat added: “It seems like it has been a long slog but I’m really proud of you all.”
Current plans are for 9.8 per cent affordable housing as part of the development but this could still be changed.
Main image: Redcatch Quarter
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