Baltic Wharf Campsite Update

It seems to me that the local council are on board but it is their officers who don't approve of the scheme. Flooding seems to be a major issue despite it being pointed out that the Club regularly evacuates the York site so has a wealth of experience in doing so. There are some issues around whether the road access into the site will cause problems at rush hour, despite the fact this is the time when it is unlikely to have arrivals at the site.  I think some trees they want to cut down have tree preservation orders on them although you imagine this could be worked round. I understand there is a footpath that skirts the proposed site and there was concern about the visual impact for walkers!!!!!! There was also an objection from one of the senior council staff to the visual impact of a campsite from the Clifton Suspension Bridge. He obviously has a powerful pair of binoculars!!! The ridiculous thing about all the objections is what are they going to allow the current site to be used for? It is currently an eyesore and that will get worse with time.

David 

The ridiculous thing about all the objections is what are they going to allow the current site to be used for? It is currently an eyesore and that will get worse with time.

I agree and you would think a site visit by the S of S office would resolve most of the reservations.

peedee

It seems ridiculous that they just let these eyesore develop. Part of their cunning plan?

Years ago the council stopped letting out a football field, well several in different places in town, grass became unkempt and the site a real eyesore, team had to fold. 14 years later on the one I'm thinking of, they rebuilt the delapated changing rooms and re-established the pitch. Others remain neglected or guess what? Built on..........

Wouldn't it be a win win situation if they allowed the activity to continue until everything sorted? Income, facility and a tidy area. Seems so simple to me, but that's why I remain lowly and not in charge 🤣🤣

I have no say in the decision making but from the time when I first  heard of the alternative patch of land which the Club had bought, and saw the outline plan, I thought it was a poor choice of Bristol.

The city deserves a new, well equipped, well landscaped site on the outskirts, close to public transport, and open to all on an international basis. Cities all over Europe have done that with some style.

The Club’s proposal was mean and unambitious - the wrong sort of site in the wrong sort of place - and I can understand those in Bristol who are far from keen to allow it to go ahead. 

ET as I understand it it wasn't easy to find a suitable site to move to. Was it a case of the Police Training site or no site at all?

peedee

ET said:- The Club’s proposal was mean and unambitious - the wrong sort of site in the wrong sort of place - and I can understand those in Bristol who are far from keen to allow it to go ahead. 

The objections weren't from the decomcracially elected councillors but more from Council Officers who objected on a technicalities. I think the Council are aware that an easy access campsite near the centre is an asset to Bristol. Unfortunately the Club don't have carte blanche to decide where a campsite will be. I am sure their agents have hunted high and low for a suitable location. Whilst maybe not perfect the proposed site will fulfill a need for those that want to spend a few days visiting Bristol.

David

I do not think I would like to be pitched up on Ex- Police property in Bristol any time soon !!

I understand it was originally hoped to have a site the other side of Ashton Court Park away from the College/Uni? buildings where most of the traffic on the lane is heading for? but the NIMBY locals in that area got in the way?

It's actually situated on a main route in from Gordano Services on the M5, so it's quite a busy road at certain times of the day or year. The site adjoins Bedminster Cricket Club and this is also used as an overflow car park when there's a match on at Ashton Gate . It can be a very busy area with the addition of the big festivals at Ashton Court, just over the road from the site. I think CAMC looked at around 50 possible sites (the info is all on the planning portal.)

The flooding issue concerns the huge tides on the Bristol Channel, the Avon at this point is tidal so different issues to York or Tewkesbury. However I think floods are a very rare event in this area.

Lived in that area between 1997 & 2014, crossed the swing bridge many times each week in all conditions and never witnessed anything beyond fairly minor flooding in the cumberland basin and immediate local area.