Project Summary
- The site is a former farm situated on the edge of Bristol.
- It is a designated important open space, part of a Bristol Wildlife Network site and in a Conservation Area, containing a range of listed and curtilage listed buildings. It lies immediately adjacent to a site of nature conservation interest, a regionally important geological site and a local historic park and garden.
- Development for a highly sustainable, community led, self build, affordable housing scheme of 28 new build units with a communal building within the wider site area.
- The repair, refurbishment and conversion of the listed farmhouse into a small HMO and the curtilage farm buildings into residential use and mixed commercial uses.
- New vehicular and pedestrian access, communal parking, a high level of on site cycle parking, communal social and play space, extensive productive growing space, landscaping and ecological protection.
- Advice on application strategy, submission of a Request for Screening for an Environmental Impact Assessment, production of a supporting outline planning application statement and on-going planning advice.
The Planning Process
We’ve provided ongoing planning support for the client, who has managed the planning process themselves.
A Request for Screening for an Environmental Impact Assessment was considered necessary due to the site’s heritage, ecological and landscape designations alongside its position immediately adjacent to the M32. The COuncil agreed that an Environmental Impact Assessment was not required.
Due to the presence of the listed and curtilage listed buildings and the development of the wider site for self build residential units the site was separated into two sections. An holistic approach was taken to the master planning of the site as a whole, but two sets of applications were submitted. One for full planning and listed building consent for the area of the listed and curtilage listed buildings and a separate outline application, with only one of the five reserved matters left for future consideration, for the wider farm area that was subject to the self build residential scheme. This was done to enable the two elements to proceed under separate timescales and without affecting the ability to determine each application.
Both sets of applications, the listed building and full planning application for the farmhouse and curtilage listed buildings and the outline application for the wider site, were accompanied by a significant level of supporting information. This detailed uses, site layout, access arrangements, design, landscape and biodiversity enhancements, heritage assessment, noise and air quality, land contamination, transport statement and travel plan, environmental quality, SUDs and sustainability.