‘Objecting to proposals does not make one “anti-development”‘

Development is a hot topic in our city. Hopes and concerns about it have spread from the city centre out into the suburbs.

In Knowle, many residents agree that the Broadwalk Shopping Centre has lost much of its earlier vibrancy and is in sore need of redevelopment.

Our party recognised this need and backed the earlier planning proposals for a site that would include both commercial and residential elements.

However, since the release of new proposals for this development, called Redcatch Quarter, we have come to appreciate that many residents harbour valid concerns about them.

Knowle Liberal Democrats distributed a survey to local residents to ask for their views about the new proposals for Redcatch Quarter. Based on the replies from over a hundred residents we found that the overwhelming majority of them had concerns about the new proposals.

Under the plans, Redcatch Development Partnership would knock down the Broadwalk Shopping Centre and its car park to make way for a mixed-used development that includes around 800 new homes – photo Redcatch Development Partnership

A majority thought the proposal of having 800 residential units for the area is too high. Most of those that replied also expressed concerns about the inadequate provision of parking for the new site. A similar number of people also objected to less provision of commercial units in the new proposals than the current site.

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Read more: Shopping centre set to be demolished under redevelopment plans

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Knowle Liberal Democrats recommend the number of residential units be reduced to 700, with the provision of at least 200 car parking spaces for them. We would like to see a minimum of 20 per cent of the residential units sold as affordable housing. We recommend a height reduction of the proposed new development by around 20 per cent, so not to be too imposing on the rest of the area.

Noting that communities in Brislington, Whitchurch and Knowle West rely on the current site, we would like to see more attention given to public transport. Bus provision from these communities to Broadwalk is currently inadequate.

This in turn could make the already tight provision of car parking spaces in Knowle even worse, once the Redcatch Quarter development has been built. We would also see an increase by at least 10 per cent of the commercial space proposed in the Redcatch Quarter plans.

Our position on Redcatch Quarter is one that prioritises making the development work for Knowle, as opposed to the other way round.  This means doing the best to meet the concerns of Knowle residents, many of whom feel that their concerns have not been sufficiently listened to by their current councillors.

Knowle Liberal Democrats reject the premise that raising concerns or objecting to the current proposals makes one ‘anti-development’. Ourselves and many of those residents we have communicated with are keen to see the Broadwalk site get a new lease of life.

Knowle Liberal Democrats strongly encourage Knowle’s current councillors to constructively discuss concerns that many residents of Knowle have with the Redcatch Quarter proposals.

Zac Barker is chair of Bristol Lib Dems council group, and Anna Fry is a member of Knowle Liberal Democrats

Main photo: Redcatch Development Partnership

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