This week’s list of notable planning applications recieved by the city council
The concrete plant at the port(Image: Google)
A concrete plant at the port could be converted to make underwater tunnels for a nuclear power station according to new plans recently submitted. Each week Bristol City Council receives dozens of planning applications seeking permission for a whole range of developments.
Over the past seven days, those applications also included a sign outside a deserted leisure park and replacing air conditioning units on the roof of a city centre pub earmarked for a rooftop terrace. Here’s this week’s round-up of notable planning applications submitted to the council.
Every week dozens are validated by the local authority and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals. All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public. Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications — whether in support or objection.
The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers. However, some will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees. No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Bristol City Council’s website.
Concrete plant for new nuclear power station
A concrete plant at the Bristol Port could be converted to make underwater tunnels for a new nuclear power station. The factory previously made concrete for Hinkley Point C and HS2, but could soon be taken over by Sizewell C, a power station under construction in Suffolk. Parts of the tunnels would be sent to Suffolk via train and ship, after being made at the Port factory.
Sizewell C has asked the council whether an environmental impact assessment is needed, before they apply for planning permission for the concrete plant. After the power station is completed, the concrete plant would be used for “generic port activities”. The plans include a new crane 36 metres tall, a laboratory building, and temporary modular welfare buildings.
The new power station will have a capacity of 3.2 gigawatts, generating electricity for 6 million homes. Construction began a couple of years ago and is expected to cost £38 billion and last between nine and 12 years. Another nuclear power station could soon be built closer to home, replacing the former Oldbury power station on the coast of the Severn Estuary north of Bristol.
Sign outside deserted leisure park advertising last remaining firms
A huge two-metre sign could be put up outside a deserted leisure park advertising the last remaining businesses. Hengrove Leisure Park used to be a bustling centre in South Bristol with a bingo hall, cinema and more. The Cineworld cinema closed two years ago, the last one south of the river.
After getting earmarked for a new housing development, little is left apart from a large empty car park, a small hotel and a few fast food restaurants. The sign would advertise McDonald’s, KFC, Premier Inn and Costa Coffee, to drivers travelling along Hengrove Way.
In planning documents, the applicants said the sign would enhance the visibility of existing businesses and attract customers. This will “positively contribute to the area … and support economic activity”.
Replacing air conditioning on city centre pub
Two air conditioning and heating units could be removed on the roof of a city centre pub. The V-Shed on the Harbourside is owned by JD Wetherspoon, and is planning to install six new condensers on the roof. The existing heating system is failing and replacing it would improve energy efficiency while also taking up less space.
There are separate plans to open up the roof of the V-Shed, as well as the adjoining bars either side, to create a rooftop terrace. This would be accessed through the bars, giving customers a view of the Harbourside. Historic England previously raised concerns that this would block views of the Bristol Cathedral from a certain part of the footpath outside the Arnolfini.