News / planning
Legal challenge to stop plans for 23-storey tower
Residents are mobilising to challenge a controversial planning decision that could see a 23-storey block of student flats built in their neighbourhood.
Their campaign, ‘Stop The Princess Street Towerblocks’, aims to raise £3,500 to hire a barrister to challenge the city council’s approval of a development proposing 434 flats and 400 student beds across four blocks on a site south of Princess Street, between Victoria Park and the New Cut.
In January, councillors initially vetoed the plans, citing concerns about the height and density of the buildings, as well as the potential harm to views of the Totterdown skyline and nearby historic landmarks.
However, Bristol City Council was later advised that the developer could win on appeal and that opposing the plans might cost taxpayers up to £1m in legal fees.
This guidance led councillors to approve the development – a decision local campaigners say undermines democratic decision-making.
Bristol24/7 has contacted Bristol City Council for comment.
Developer Galliard Apsley said the scheme “will do exactly what regeneration is meant to” – image: Liz Lake Associates
“Councillors were asked to make the decision to ensure democracy was upheld,” said a spokesperson for the fundraiser.
“If they think it’s too big, the council should be able to tell the developers to go back to the drawing board without fear of being sued.”
The group says their chosen barrister previously led the Broadwalk legal action in Knowle, successfully negotiating a reduction in building heights and are confident he can secure a similar outcome for Princess Street.
The campaign spokesperson added: We agree more housing is needed but this is not the way to do it.”
The community hopes that, with legal backing, the proposed tower’s height and impact can be reconsidered, protecting the character and views of their neighbourhoods.
The fundraiser has reached more than £2,000 at the time of writing.
Main image: Liz Lake Associates
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
