A protest march is being staged by campaigners opposed to the latest plans for Westmoreland House and the Carriageworks.
Demonstrators riled by a lack of affordable homes proposed for the controversial site in Stokes Croft will set off from the grade II*-listed Carriageworks building and head to Millennium Square on Wednesday, when a decision will be made on a scheme by developers Fifth Capital.
A campaign group called Stand Up for Homes Bristol has organised the march at 4.30pm against the plans, which have been criticised for featuring luxury homes in a development opponents fear will become a “gated community”.
A statement on the campaign group’s Facebook page said: “Yet again, Bristol Council is being strong-armed by property developers!
“Fifth Capital plans to develop the Carriageworks, Stokes Croft with next to no affordable housing no community input!”
“Want to see affordable homes in Bristol?
“The council decides on the application at 6pm on the 8th April! Get down and help our councillors make the right decision for real affordable housing in Stokes Croft and beyond!”
The iconic Westmoreland House and the neighbouring Carriageworks have stood derelict for around 30 years but Fifth Capital wants to turn the eyesore into more than 100 flats. However, objections to the proposals now stand at more than 1,400 as people in the area campaign for fewer “luxury apartments” and more affordable housing. An earlier scheme for the site proposed more social homes, but the latest plans include only eight affordable flats.
Some residents believe the plans could provoke such strong feeling that there could be a repeat of the disorder of four years ago that spilled onto the streets when supermarket chain Tesco opened a store in the area. Trouble flared in Stokes Croft as police evicted squatters from a derelict building opposite Tesco Express in Cheltenham Road, which turned into an attack on the newly-opened store by protesters keen for the area to retain its independent credentials.
Leroy Dennis, 45, who lives in nearby St Paul’s, said: “People are really against this and it could easily be another Tesco. People need to listen to those in the area. People want it preserved as somewhere independent and full of character – not some posh flats that no one can afford.
“I think many people would agree it needs to be developed, but they need to look at the area and fit the development into the community.”
Lydia Bennetts, who lives in Gloucester Road, was in two minds. The 34-year-old said: “It is a difficult one because we need houses and this is a massive building prime for houses. But we saw what happened when Tesco moved in and the community didn’t want it. People here won’t be afraid to speak their minds.”
“If it does go ahead, it will be strange to see Stokes Croft without it. Although it is derelict, it is kind of the ‘face’ of the area. It’s what people picture when they think of the road.”
Developer’s view
Fifth Capital London took over the site in 2014. In planning documents, it states: “The intention is to create a new development that addresses the aspirations of Bristol City Council and the local community, whilst enhancing and protecting its important heritage and listed buildings. The scheme will bring real benefits to the local area and create a sustainable future for a site that has been derelict for decades.”