Bristol flats scheme recommended for go-ahead

A scheme of 166 flats on the site of the Caravan Club next to the Floating Harbour in Bristol looks set to be given the green light despite opposition.Goram Homes And Hill is seeking planning permission for the development on the site of the Baltic Wharf Caravan site.The flats would be set across six blocks on the site.About 6,000 sq ft of commercial units is also proposed over three units on the ground and lower ground floor of the two northern blocks.Of the flats, 40 per cent are to be affordable, with a mixture of social rented and part ownership. There will be a mix of 70 one-bedroom, 82 two-bed and 14 three-bedded properties.Also included is car and bicycle parking, refuse storage, landscaping and associated infrastructure and services.Since being submitted in 2021, there have been a significant number of objections to the proposals.A total of 410 objections have been made, citing concerns including height, “inappropriate” scale and loss of privacy.Despite the objections, an officer’s report for Bristol City Council’s Development Control Committee A next Wednesday (24 April) recommends granting permission, subject to a planning agreement.”It is considered in this case that any harm would be outweighed by the wider public benefits which includes the reuse of the brownfield sustainable site contributing to the much needed residential accommodation at a high density, including quality affordable housing, also contributing public realm to the area and community uses to the ground floor,” the report added. “Given the level of harm identified, these benefits are considered adequate to outweigh the less than substantial harm to the significance of the heritage assets.”