Bungalows in South Bristol could now be built despite city planners refusing permission for the controversial plans. Developers want to build five bungalows on a site at risk of flooding and previously home to natural habitats and wildlife.
Bristol City Council refused planning permission for bungalows on the site behind Marksbury Road several times, with the latest refusal in August last year. But local property mogul Alex Fry appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate, which has now granted permission.
Last summer councillors on the development control committee raised concerns that the green space had been “bulldozed” before the developers carried out a crucial ecological survey — which then unsurprisingly found “nothing of particular ecological value”.
Read more: Appeal launched to build bungalows previously ruled as flood risk
In her report on the appeal, Helen Davies, a government planning inspector, said: “At the time of my site visit it was largely covered in brambles and scrub vegetation, with evidence of some dumping of household waste.
“I acknowledge the site may have been cleared at some stage prior to ecology assessments being undertaken and the application subject to this appeal being submitted. However, any such site clearance would not have required planning permission and protected species are subject to separate legislation.
“Despite anecdotal information and suggestions from neighbours, I have been presented with no substantive information, or formal evidence from a suitably qualified person, which would lead me to conclude that the site has any habitats, species or features of importance — and hence the proposal would not result in the loss of ecological value.”
Flooding was another concern raised by councillors when they refused planning permission last summer. Neighbours living next door fear that their homes will be at higher risk of flooding from the nearby River Malago, as water would be displaced from the new bungalows.
But according to Ms Davies, “there are no readily available alternative sites” nearby, so the plans pass a key obstacle known in planning jargon as a ‘sequential test’. Also, the bungalows would have “mitigation proposals” built into them, such as permeable surfaces and raised floor levels.
However, another important obstacle could still potentially block the bungalows from being built. The land was formerly owned by Bristol City Council, which sold the site for £6,000, but placed a legal covenant allegedly preventing any development. But it’s unclear whether the council would enforce that covenant, and the developers might be able to get it removed.
