Bs3 Campus and Bedminster College - Time to Act!

Action: Write to the planning officer peter.westbury a_t bristol d_o_t gov d_o_t uk
Website for more info: www.bs3campus.org.uk

Bedminster College is to be sold later this year (The Northern Slopes is now being considered separately). HCA who own this site have now agreed to a new school and healthcentre and around 85 homes including self build (in its widest context this means cohousing, etc). This is a chance for a self build/community group to bid under the new Right to bid provisions of the Localism Act.

A planning application has been submitted by HCA. As the plan to the right shows this includes the school, health centre and workshops which we have campaigned for. HOWEVER we feel this falls short of the ideal platform for an intentional community.

1.       The plans are to demolish the College sportshall which is crazy. This is still being used and could in the future be used by both the school and the community.

2.       The plan is to build a new estate road to service a new housing estate and in the process knock down part of the existing school to create a new entrance to that estate. Again this seems crazy and is simply aimed at the volume housebuilders. Bs3 campus is against estate housing and we have argued that this is unnecessary. We don’t need additional roads so that people can access their standard houses and private driveways if we are planning a community development. Instead we can get more housing (or open space), save the cost of unnecessary infrastructure and create a safer environment.

3.       Knocking down part of the old school building doesn’t make any sense when this building could be used for community activities (café, workspace, studios etc) or be used in the future for a crèche or the expansion of the school.  

The planning officer is sympathetic but says that he has to date received few objections (probably because this has been so poorly advertised). Time is running out.

I ask you to please write to the officer peter.westbury a_t bristol d_o_t gov d_o_t uk today expressing your views, particularly if you are a local resident (BS3/BS4).

We are planning to set up a meeting with Bristol Community Land Trust within the next fortnight to discuss the potential to mount a bid and I hope all those who are interested in self build, cohousing or living in an intentional community will come along and discuss the College and other opportunities in Bristol for community development. Where we go from here really depends on your appetite to make this happen. I have heard from a number of people who have expressed interest but please do let me know if this is something you are considering. I will get back to you with a date and venue.  

Best wishes…and thanks for your continued support   

David Parkes
07787 153410

For Bedminster College CIC and Bs3 campus www.bs3campus.org.uk