News / planning
Petition claims Bristol’s planning system is ‘failing’
More than 1,500 people have signed a petition claiming Bristol’s planning system is “failing”.
It warns that decisions are being made that will cause “long-term, if not irreparable, harm to Bristol’s neighbourhoods and city centre”.
“Our concern is that the Bristol City Council is currently failing to deliver an effective, impartial service; lacks consistency in the application of material planning considerations and policies, and; is being unduly influenced to ‘get stuff done’ by the elected Mayor’s Office,” the petition on website 38 Degrees said.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol City Council declined to comment.
The responsibility for determining large or controversial planning applications rests on councillors in planning committees or full council at City Hall – photo: Martin Booth
The challenge of balancing the need for homes with preserving precious undeveloped land has become the topic of an increasingly contested debate.
Western Slopes in Knowle West, Yew Tree Farm in Bishopsworth, Brislington Meadows and Ashton Vale are all green spaces that have been threatened by development in recent years.
A recent sticking point came when councillors made a shock u-turn over plans to knock down a shopping centre in Knowle and replace it with hundreds of homes.
Local resident and campaigner in opposition of the plans Laura Chapman called the decision “an utter subversion of democracy”.
One signatory of the petition wrote: “The system gives all the appearances of being rigged, leading to sub-standard buildings and second-rate place making.”
Hear from Chapman in episode 86 of the Behind the Headlines podcast on Spotify:
The petition, organised by Suzanne Audrey, said: “There are examples across the city in which the following material planning considerations are given inadequate weight or where there is inconsistency in their application: loss of light, overshadowing, overlooking, privacy; design and appearance; residential amenity and living conditions; character of the local area; local planning policies; loss of trees and landscaping; impact on listed buildings and conservation areas.
“We urge the Mayor, cabinet members, and councillors of all parties to consider the harm done when residents no longer have confidence in the impartiality of officers and members of planning committees, and when decisions are made that will cause long-term, if not irreparable, harm to Bristol’s neighbourhoods and city centre.”
If the petition reaches 3,500 signatories, it will trigger the right to be debated by councillors at a full council meeting.
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read next:
- Plans refused for 144 homes on south Bristol wildlife haven
- Fury after plans to knock down shopping centre approved in shock u-turn
- Where should Bristol build homes in the midst of a housing crisis?
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
