Carlton Court Car Park
(Page Updated May 14th)
Many members will have seen or heard about the work going on fencing off parts of the Carlton Court car park. Some people think that the owners are about to develop the site. No planning application has been submitted and it is extremely unlikely that this is happening.
We are aware of an approach by the owners to the council, prior to the submission of a formal planning application, to develop residential apartments on part of the car park but were not allowed to see details. We think that the owner is playing a planning game by closing off most of the car park, leaving only 18 spaces, in an attempt to show that any future development which only provided a much reduced parking space would be acceptable - unfortunately the council does not require much parking in new developments these days, but such an eventuality would be disastrous for the village centre. We are also very concerned about the road safety hazards that are being created.
Planning permission was given for Carlton Court around 1960. In those days planning permissions had few conditions and apart from the height of the fencing we may find that what has been done is not unlawful. That said, we shall be making representations to the owner, the council and our local councillors. Further information, as and when it becomes available will be put on our website and emailed to our members and those of the Car Park mailing list.
Andy Renshaw
Chair of Westbury on Trym Society
Update 22/04/25 Andy has written to to owners of the site and their letting agents, expressing deep concerns and asking for clarification as to their intentions. While we do not anticipate a positive response, this is the first step in the process... Click here to view the letter...
Update 23/04/25 It appears the concrete blocks were a temporary measure to stop people parking. These are now being moved and wooden posts are being concreted into the ground to enable yet more fencing. The fencing also removes access to the ramp and shallow steps to Carlton Court.
Update 01/05/25 Following representations by a number of groups and individuals, the position of the fencing has been altered to allow access to the ramp, although not to the steps (see map). The fencing has now been painted, reinforcing the view that this is not a temporary measure.
Update 02/05/25 An email was received from Cyril Leonard Ltd, the letting agents, giving their view of the developments. While the fact that they have responded is heartening, the reasons given for the closure do not seem to justify the extent of the fencing and the reference to future parking arrangements includes the phrase "parking for Carlton Court Shopping Centre customers"... Click here to read a copy of the email
Update 12/05/25 Andy has written a follow-up letter to the letting agents, thanking them for their response but raising further concerns re the lack of notice and the impact on local businesses, both in Carlton Court and throughout the Village. Click here to view the letter...
Update 13/05/25 Following concerns raised by several residents to BBC Points West, the BBC published an article on their website, including responses from Stephen Williams, Darren Jones and Cyril Leonard, the landowners agent... Click here to read the article
Click here to see more photographs of the work done to date...
We are aware of an approach by the owners to the council, prior to the submission of a formal planning application, to develop residential apartments on part of the car park but were not allowed to see details. We think that the owner is playing a planning game by closing off most of the car park, leaving only 18 spaces, in an attempt to show that any future development which only provided a much reduced parking space would be acceptable - unfortunately the council does not require much parking in new developments these days, but such an eventuality would be disastrous for the village centre. We are also very concerned about the road safety hazards that are being created.
Planning permission was given for Carlton Court around 1960. In those days planning permissions had few conditions and apart from the height of the fencing we may find that what has been done is not unlawful. That said, we shall be making representations to the owner, the council and our local councillors. Further information, as and when it becomes available will be put on our website and emailed to our members and those of the Car Park mailing list.
Andy Renshaw
Chair of Westbury on Trym Society
Update 22/04/25 Andy has written to to owners of the site and their letting agents, expressing deep concerns and asking for clarification as to their intentions. While we do not anticipate a positive response, this is the first step in the process... Click here to view the letter...
Update 23/04/25 It appears the concrete blocks were a temporary measure to stop people parking. These are now being moved and wooden posts are being concreted into the ground to enable yet more fencing. The fencing also removes access to the ramp and shallow steps to Carlton Court.
Update 01/05/25 Following representations by a number of groups and individuals, the position of the fencing has been altered to allow access to the ramp, although not to the steps (see map). The fencing has now been painted, reinforcing the view that this is not a temporary measure.
Update 02/05/25 An email was received from Cyril Leonard Ltd, the letting agents, giving their view of the developments. While the fact that they have responded is heartening, the reasons given for the closure do not seem to justify the extent of the fencing and the reference to future parking arrangements includes the phrase "parking for Carlton Court Shopping Centre customers"... Click here to read a copy of the email
Update 12/05/25 Andy has written a follow-up letter to the letting agents, thanking them for their response but raising further concerns re the lack of notice and the impact on local businesses, both in Carlton Court and throughout the Village. Click here to view the letter...
Update 13/05/25 Following concerns raised by several residents to BBC Points West, the BBC published an article on their website, including responses from Stephen Williams, Darren Jones and Cyril Leonard, the landowners agent... Click here to read the article
Click here to see more photographs of the work done to date...
