Development of Carlton Court

Development of Carlton Court Car Park

For the vast majority of people who have not received a letter from Churchill Homes regarding their proposals for Carlton Court, please be aware that there are major and very significant proposals which are being promoted by a press release and a website which went live this morning, October 6th. The Society was contacted by Churchill Homes last week, advising us of their plans to develop part of the Carlton Court car park and also redevelop three of the current occupied retail units at Carlton Court to build:

·   An independent retirement living community of approximately 31 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, over 3 storeys with 4 flats in the roofspace,with private car parking for 11 cars; 

·  A reconfigured access and service area for the Co-Op with car parking for 18 cars including on  the area to the rear of Lloyds Bank;

·  A new pedestrian entrance from the car park to  Carlton Court,  including a wheelchair accessible route.

You can see the plans, together with background information, a feedback page and freephone, and email contact details at http://www.churchill-westburyontrym.co.uk 

The consultation is scheduled to last until Monday 20^th of October.

In short what is proposed is to remove the units occupied by BarberonTrym, Kemps Jewellers and Number 7 Kitchen. There is also a residential flat above Kemps and Number 7 Kitchen. Your Committee are most concerned about the devastating impact on the tenants and Westbury as a retail area. In planning policy terms Whilst the proponents will argue it will be bringing additional spending to the village, the shops are located in what is now the central shopping area, were built solely as retail units and until April had excellent access for pedestrians and car users alike. 

The closing off of the car park last April, which was undertaken by the shopping centre owners and not Churchill Homes, and was part of a strategy by the owners to strengthen their case.

Be aware that this is not a planning application, it is a public consultation prior to the intended submission of a planning application later this year.

The proposals are contrary to planning policy for the village centre. Carlton Court is defined as a primary shopping area, where changes from shops to other uses are not permitted where they:

·  make a positive contribution to the vitality, viability and diversity of the centre 

·  fragment part of the shopping frontage

·  result in a loss of retail floorspace of a scale harmful to the shopping centre

The council's new local plan also requires the protection and enhancement of town centres, of which Westbury on Trym is defined as one.

We hope you will be moved to find out more and respond to the application within the period given to show that Westbury on Trym feels strongly about its village centre. Your committee has had a very brief viewing on-line and will be supporting our local traders as we have done for many years'.