Campaigning for the sensitive & appropriate development of St. Christopher’s
Low rise. Low density. Low impact.
Latest news
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Latest news **
The sale is now being reported by the local press. Read an article here on Bristol Live.
Community waits to hear response to initial consulatation
Draft plans have been made public - make your views known!
Draft plans for the site have now been made public by the new owners - London-based Square Bay Property and Acorn Property Group - and the first consultation stage is underway.
Currently, the plan is for a residential development with around 40 new build 3 storey townhouses on the backland area, with the large villas facing the Downs being refurbished either as homes or flats and Grace House potentially being converted to flats as well. New access roads include opening up The Glen which is currently a cul de sac, opening the Etloe Road entrance to two houses, and with the main entry and exit points along Westbury Park.
You can see more detail on the owners website here.
A confidential pre-application has already been submitted to the city council and we are waiting to see the response from Bristol City Council.
Rest assured, SCAN will make sure that the new owners are fully aware of the community’s hopes, priorities and concerns. We have issued a statement as a general response to these plans, based on our knowledge of community concerns and also feedback we have received.
There are aspects of the plans that are seen as positive by some in the community, like protection for the trees and no tall blocks of flats and people have told us they want to see site being developed. However there are still questions to be answered about access points, the impact on our roads and traffic, overspill parking, the height, density and proximity of some of the houses and lack of affordable housing. We also wait to hear how the site will benefit the SEND community. SCAN has been actively working with SEND charities to make this happen.
You can read our full statement here.
There will be, we understand, another chance for the community to get involved later during the summer when the plans have been moderated further in response to the first consultation.
We hope to see more information on the plans, like heights, elevations and 3D imaging, information on parking and traffic movements and public access and will be asking the developers to provide this so people can understand the plans more fully.
Recent photos of the site indicate it’s not being cared for and is being allowed to become overgrown
We are a voluntary community campaign group with members from across Bristol.
We want the best possible development for our neighbourhood and our city.
Let’s work together to bring this site back to life for the community!
What is an ACV and why does it matter?
The St Christopher’s School site has been awarded ‘Asset of Community Value’ (ACV) status by Bristol City Council.
The title means the community has much more say over the future of the site and any development. This official legal protection recognises the contribution the school made to the local community in Bristol and also recognises that the site could be a key part of any SEND provision or other community benefit in the future.
Any future development must show it will provide a ‘social wellbeing benefit’ to the community as part of any scheme - and a proposal could be refused in the planning process if it fails to fulfill this requirement.
So the importance of the ACV status will be taken into consideration with any future planning application. It is what is called a ‘material consideration’. Bristol City Council has confirmed to SCAN that this means the status will be relevant if and when an application to develop the site is submitted.
Need more information or help?
Just email us! On: stchristophersactionnetwork@gmail.com
We’re here to help you have your voice heard.
**Let's work together to bring this site back to serve the community**
**Let's work together to bring this site back to serve the community**
An aerial view of the St Christopher’s site with the listed Grade 2 listed Grace House in the foreground
What is SCAN?
SCAN was created as a community group in September 2021 with the sole aim of ensuring the site of the former St Christopher’s School is developed with the community in mind and is both sensitive to the history and heritage of the site as well as appropriate for our community and everyone who lives and works here.
We have a core group of volunteer members from Westbury Park and beyond who meet regularly - and we are constantly working behind the scenes to press for St Christopher’s to be developed in a way that benefits the community and Bristol as a whole.
We have established excellent relationships with all our local councillors, other campaign & community groups like the long-established Westbury Park Community Association. We are working as transparently, collaboratively and inclusively as possible.
