PLANS to build more than 250 homes on the site of a disused Fishponds factory have been approved.
Graphic Packaging International’s plan is the first of three neighbouring developments, jointly named Atlas Place, which are set to transform the area between the Railway Path, Lodge Causeway and Forest Road, behind Morrisons.
The company’s plan for 252 new homes was described as an “ideal scheme” by one of the councillors on the committee that voted unanimously to grant outline planning permission yesterday.
Most of the homes will be between two and three storeys, with some apartments in four-storey buildings.
The firm says 22% of the homes will be classed as affordable, with three quarters of these for social rent and a quarter shared ownership.
But there are lingering concerns about the lack of healthcare services in the area, as well as extra pressure on the roads.
Graphic Packaging International announced plans to leave its base in Filwood Road last year, ending a presence in the area dating back more than 100 years.
It said the factory buildings, some of which date from the 1930s, were “simply no longer fit-for-purpose” and relocated to a newer building in Yate.
Development should be ‘a place my grandchildren may live’ – boss
Martin Sheppard, general manager of Graphic Packaging International, said: “Graphic Packaging is a great Bristol company which has employed generations of local people over the last century. Due to the age of our Fishponds site and modern production needs, after a 15-year search we finally moved to our new production plant in Yate. This has been transformative.
“We’ve already employed 100 more staff, promoted 32 and started 11 apprenticeships.
“During the planning process we did not push for density or height, because we want this to be a fantastic place for local people to live and enjoy.
“I want this development to be a place my grandchildren may live one day, and be a legacy we can all be proud of.”
The firm will likely now sell the site to a housing developer. The plans include 190 square metres of floorspace that could be used for healthcare, such as a pharmacy. Local NHS bosses however have already said that would be too small for a new GP surgery.
‘Ideal brownfield development site’
Hillfields ward councillor Ellie King said: “This is an ideal brownfield development site.
“This relieves pressure on our greenfield sites and it’s exactly the prime location for development. It’ll bring new greenery, hedges and trees and pocket parks.”
Cllr King added that public transport in the area needs upgrading, with just one bus service through Hillfields that runs every 30 minutes and takes a long time to get into the centre as it follows a winding route through the estate.
Another councillor described challenges cycling through the area as “carmageddon”.
Cllr King said she hoped some of the development could be used for healthcare.
Residents have urged the council to bring forward a masterplan for the three Atlas Place sites, which could together total more than 2,000 new homes, paying particular attention to changes to the road network, design and the height of buildings.
The other two sites in Atlas Place are the Castel Ltd site on Goodneston Road, and Central Fishponds Ltd site, including the industrial buildings north of Filwood Road around Verona House.
No formal planning applications have been submitted for either site, although last year Central Fishponds Ltd said it wanted to build 900 homes on its Filwood House & Verona House site, with 780 flats in tower blocks up to 13 storeys tall.
Company has ‘not been greedy’
Development control committee A member Richard Eddy (Con, Bishopsworth) said: “It’s as rare as hen’s teeth to receive an application like this for demolition and quite significant regeneration and not receive a baying public gallery of opposition.
“Graphic Packaging have not been greedy, they came forward with a positive scheme of two-storey residential development, which allows for 22% affordable housing.
“This is a 100% good news story.
“In my view this is an ideal scheme for local people.”
By Alex Seabrook, Local Democracy Reporting Service