BPT has responded to further amended drawings, submitted as part of the ongoing outline application for up to 300 additional homes in Phases 3 & 4 of development on the Sulis Down plateau (see application 22/02169/EOUT).
BPT has continued to reiterate its strong concerns with the lack of a comprehensive site-wide masterplan and the piecemeal approach to development within the Cotswolds AONB and the sensitive landscape setting of the World Heritage Site. We have expressed an in-principal position against the overspill of allotment development onto Derrymans Field, a site which remains within the Green Belt. Read our original objection here.
In response to the latest amended documents submitted to the application, we have emphasised a lack of demonstrated consideration relating to alterations to the SAM Wansdyke in the creation of a new north-south pedestrian and cyclist path across Great Broad Close, as well as the continued ‘creep’ onto adjoining agricultural land within the Green Belt. We are also concerned about the impact of lighting on sky glow, ecology and landscape setting.
We have challenged the over-dominance of hard landscaping and car parking where this has resulted in a lack of public green space, cramped private gardens, and poor sustainable transport links, as well as a lack of community facilities, contrary to the scheme’s purported “Garden City” principles. In this sensitive edge-of-city location, environment-led, sustainable placemaking ambitions for this site should be far greater.
Read our response to the latest amendments to the scheme here.
Phase 1 of development was originally granted planning permission for 171 homes in 2019 (see application 17/02588/EFUL) which is currently in the process of being built-out and occupied, as shown in the title image above. The design and layout of this phase of development was indicated to have been inspired by “the Arts and Crafts Cotswold tradition” and the Garden City movement.
The Plateau development site also includes Sulis Manor, an early 20th century Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA), which is due to separately come forward as part of Phase 2 at a later date.
We will be calling on local decision makers and Councillors to encourage an improved future for all users of this community.
(Post image: Development as-built as part of Phase 1, permitted 2019.)