Public can have their say on Filwood Park Plans
The long-awaited plans for the development of Filwood Park were finally revealed to the public at an exhibition in January.
Commercial property agency GVA held an event at Filwood Community Centre for local people to view the designs – and give their feedback.
Those who could not attend can still see the plans at the Neighbourhood Partnership Office on Filwood Broadway.
The exhibition includes the current design and layout of the proposed housing, park and play area as well as car parking and landscaping.
Outline Planning Permission was granted on 31 October 2012 for “mixed use development, including the creation of a new park, erection of up to 150 residential units, 8000 sq m of employment floorspace… car parking, landscaping, ecological area, access and associated infrastructure works…”
This application will complete the Filwood Park proposal following the opening of Filwood Green Business Park.
An area of the park in front of the three and four-bedroom houses will be privately maintained by a management company. There are also plans for a building or “Park Hub” for “neighbourhood activities” which could house a café and be used to store equipment.
Access to the development for cars and other vehicles will be from Creswicke Road to the north and Hengrove Way to the South.
Helen Bailey from Knowle West Future who attended the exhibition said: “… I’m hoping by doing this it will kick-start the regeneration of Knowle West… My concern is they are all privately owned and I don’t know yet if they are going to be able to sell them…”
Richard Bowey from Creswicke Road who bought his house 30 years ago said they had “lost peace and quiet”.
“We will have cars pulling up, doors slamming … It’s going to happen but it’s how the boundary is going to work between existing houses and new houses… Now we have 20ft before the field and it’s going to disappear. … And they don’t know what type of fence there will be…”
And John Walter also from Creswicke Road said he was worried the planned ‘through road” through Filwood Park would become “a rat-run”.
GVA Planning Manager, Chris Burton, said this was not the finalised scheme and they were still working on the designs.
“With regard to the space between the boundary and houses there will be hit and miss fencing, then 1m of tree belt, then 1m of manco path then the proposed houses …
“The lighting scheme has yet to be worked on so is ‘to be confirmed’. Residents’ concerns will be considered and an appropriate lighting scheme proposed.
“To avoid the proposed road becoming a rat-run there will be provision of raised tables and changes in tactile surfaces to reduce speed. This should deter people … as Creswicke Road will still provide a faster journey time.”
The likely timescale is:
Spring 2017
Submit Planning Application to Bristol City Council who will consult with the community on the proposals.
Summer 2017 – Application decision
Autumn 2017 – if designs are approved construction will start on site.
Summer 2018 – First houses likely to be finished.
Anyone who would like to comment on the designs should contact Chris Burton: chris.burton@gva.co.uk or view the plans at the Neighbourhood Partnership office, Filwood Broadway. Contact Lloyd to check if the office is open: call Lloyd Allen 0117 9224320 / 07825 315628 / or email Lloyd.allen@bristol.gov.uk
