Brislington Community Partnership – Land Survey Zone 1

Hollywood Road

School Road

1 –Brislington Village Centre

Bristol CC Land Use Map Allocation

General Impression and initial observations

Topography

1. Brislington Village Centre

A detailed analysis of the Brislington town centre can be found here

2. Residential development on Brislington Hill

Current planning permission granted for the conversion of residential unit into 3 self contained flats, details here

Development of this nature will impose more parking problems on the local roads.

3. Land behind the White Hart Hotel

No pending planning permission, full history here

A character building and landmark within the centre occupying a prominent site alongside the pedestrian bridge over the A4.

Towards the rear of the property there is a large swathe of tree-lined land that is currently a car park and often under utilised. It could be developed as a recreation area, or even residential – retail development if sensitively designed.

4. Oakenhill / Glenarm Road

1930-40 residential development, which ends in a cul-de-sac onto Victory Park, a clean and pleasant road that could greatly benefit from pedestrian access through the stone wall to the park.

5. Historical alleyways

Interesting and attractive lanes exists throughout Brislington, some are overgrown, forgotten about places and many are badly lit, imposing and potentially dangerous places. However there are many that even though badly lit are interesting, attractive and inviting places. Through creative design these alleys could be incorporated into pedestrian and cycle friendly routes linking up the neighbourhood, communities and improved services/amenities.

6. St Lukes Church

St Lukes church dates from 1420 and was built by the 5th Baron Thomas la Warr.

An historical perspective of the church, its grounds and associated accommodation can be found here

7. Housing on Church Hill

Late 60’s housing on Church Hill excluded from the conservation area boundary by the road itself. The close knit and eclectic mix of housing types, types, and periods are part of Brislington’s local character and distinctiveness.

8. New Housing in St Lukes Gardens

Attractive 80’s development of private bungalows, houses and flats on the site of the old Vicarage.

9. Victory Park Cemetery

Situated on the top of the hill Victory Park cemetery enjoys a wonderful view over north east Bristol and beyond. The cemetery is reasonably well kept and some graves well tendered, however many of the larger crosses and headstones have been laid down flat apparently they are a health and safety risk.

10. Christian faith meeting rooms

11. Conservation area house

Part of the conservation area status two dwellings stuck between a 1970’s purpose built block of flats and 80’s style private housing.

12. Woodland House mansion house

Once the George Inn and during the 19^th century a school for young ladies it was later converted into private flats.

13. Church community centre

A pleasant and busy community centre linked to St Luke’s church, situated in a small copse of trees it would make an ideal starting point for the redesign and shaping of a new Brislington centre.

14. Car park behind retail centre

Other than the 60’s retail centre, this is the area, which most lends itself to comprehensive redevelopment. The car parks are badly maintained by the landowner (BCC) and because no buildings overlook them the area is a security risk to both cars and pedestrians alike.

By focusing the active front of the 60’s retail development to face the A4 this area has become neglected and an eyesore. It has huge potential to be converted in to a thriving and bustling local retail and community centre but careful and sensitive design should be undertaken to ensure the same mistakes experienced in the 60’s are not repeated again.

15. Social housing tower block

Current planning permission for change of use from snooker hall (recreation) to office storage can be found here

Together with the retail units (N&HS) this is one of the few properties in the area still to remain in the ownership of the council Central Support Services, (CSS).

It does appear to be in good structural condition and is of anonymous design to accept an update of façade treatment.

The podium upon which it sits is arguably much worse in both aesthetic and functional design. Suffering much vandalism and disrepair. Many windows are either broken or bordered up and this projects an image of hostility and danger.

16. Sheltered accommodation

To the south west of the retail centre is a small development of sheltered accommodation, it is very well maintained and looked after. It is wholly owned by BCC.

17. The bridge over the A4

The grand design linking east and wets Brislington across the busy A4 Bath Road. A fine example of how not to achieve comprehensive redevelopment. During the site visit only two people were seen to use the bridge in a space of about 2 hours.

18. Brislington bus stop (southbound)

As a potential gateway to visitors this is not the most attractive welcome. The shop frontages under the covered area have been vandalised and are unoccupied. The stop is not well positioned for pedestrian access and ironically has good routes to the car parking behind the retail frontage. Any new redesign of the centre should seriously look at the re-alignment and positioning of the public transport connections and gateways.

19. Public toilets

Public land owned by BCC, currently locked up and used as a car park and advertising hoarding.

20.

21. Brislington Service Station (northbound)

No pending planning permission, full history here

Although it occupies a hugely significant plot in the centre historically there have been car showrooms on this plot for many years and this has probably created the impetus for the copious amount of car showrooms Brislington has attracted along this part of the A4.

22. Garage (Southbound)

Murco services station no planning permission pending.

This garage occupies a prime site and although provides a useful service to the local community and passing trade is not ideally positioned given the potential of developing the centre as an attractive vibrant and characterful ‘town centre’.

23. The Hollybush Inn

All relevant planning history can be found clicking here

Current Hollybush Inn development planning ref - 06/04570/F

Recent planning permission has been granted for the demolition of this character building in another strategically important corner plot in the heart of the centre. The proposal is for 24 self contained modern apartments surrounded by a perimeter wall and little in the way of active frontage. Although satisfying many of the existing policy and being of reasonable sustainable construction it is an opportunity missed to create a focal point for the community at the loss of one of the few remaining character buildings in the centre.

24. Northbound retail

Unusual mix of retail services, 4x4 quad bike specialist, Kebab world takeaway and restaurant, bathroom showroom, DIY specialist and Chinese takeaway

25. 55-Bristol Hill residential development

Existing planning permission here 04/04782/F/E

Variation to widen road at entrance and exit onto busy A4 here.

22 two-bedroom flats being built on site of former lodge and land on Grove Park.

26. Badgers Walk

35 purpose built flats built here during the 80’s, panning information here - 82/02510/P_S.

Although not particularly inspiring design the buildings are clean and well maintained and have attractive well-established gardens and private parking.

27. The Kings Arms public house

This is one of only two pubs remaining open within the actual vicinity of Brislington centre the other being the White Hart in the centre.

The Hollybush losing its licence and being sold to a private developer and the Pilgrim Inn recently suffering smoke damage from a fire.

The Kings Arms is a particularly attractive historic building with traditional wood beam and stone wall construction and a friendly and pleasant welcome !

28. New sensitive housing

Sensitively designed housing in Hollywood Street, a fine example of what can be achieved with some consideration to the local character. Appropriate usage of materials, scaling and design have been employed to produce unspectacular but modest appealing and well detailed accommodation.

29. The Engine house

Built in the 1790’s this fabulous building has connections with the old collieries and perhaps the related winding equipment. It is listed within the conservation area and local plan and is therefore of some local significance.

30. Conservation area housing (Yew cottage)

1700’s cottage within the conservation area.

31. The Pilgrim Inn

No current or pending planning applications

The Pilgrim Inn was recently badly smoke damaged inside and subsequently has closed down. Locals and residents have complained about incidents within and outside the building.

32. Hollywood Road

Hollywood road is a particularly interesting street with a fine range of housing and buildings along it. Ranging from 16^th century to modern apartment developments, pubs and a scout hut close by. Various small alleyways lead off up the bank to Holymead, however most are badly lit and are dangerous at night for pedestrians. These should be updated to help promote this particular local character of Brislington.

33. Church Hill house

A Palladian style villa once a boarding school and during the war a church hall is now a private home commanding a respectful plot overlooking Brislington.

34.Scout Hut

The Brislington Scout hut occupies a key piece of strategic land. If the centre development was focused more around the Church and conservation area this area could well become vital to any comprehensive development of this area. It borders the brook and is situated on flat land and therefore immediately more accessible than many parts of Brislington. There is another scout hut that occupies a better plot for scout activity closer to Sandy Park Road. Amalgamation of these two huts and the subsequent release of this land could prove profitable to the community and the scout movement in general, as the land sale would fund the design and development of a purpose built secure facility.

Hill Lawn Scout Hut