CAMPAIGNERS are calling for the future buyer of the former St. Christopher’s School site to put the local community at the heart of any new plans.
The former school for children with SEND (special educational needs), set in five acres in Westbury Park, is being formally marketed, with a guide price of around £10 million.
The site closed as a school in 2020 and has since been lived in by property guardians. Plans to build 116 luxury retirement apartments were thrown out by city councillors in August 2023.
That planning applicatiodrew more than 1500 objections and was dubbed a ‘Costa Geriatrica’ for rich people.
Following the refusal, the site owner (St. Christopher’s Propco Ltd) went into administration in October 2024.
Now the community action group, SCAN (St Christopher’s Action Network), is calling for any new owner to come up with a sensitive and appropriate development while Westbury Park Community Association, which also led the fight against the previous plans, wants to ensure the principles it and SCAN agreed in 2021 are followed again.
These would mean ensuring that potential buyers and the city council are made aware before purchase of what development would and would not be acceptable to the community.
A SCAN spokesperson said: “We care deeply about what happens on this special site. We want it developed and brought back to life, but it must be the right kind of development that does not threaten the environment, cause traffic chaos and overwhelm this conservation area with oversized buildings. The last owner made some disastrous mistakes with their plans and we don’t want a repeat of that! A low rise, low density and low impact scheme is what is needed. So, we are looking to cooperate with interested bidders who genuinely want to work with and for, local people. Please put our community at the heart of any bid!”
A year ago the site was recognised by Bristol City Council as an ACV (Asset of Community Value) for its contribution to the community and SEND families.
This led to a moratorium on the sale of the land, Community groups have until 28 May 2025 to submit their bids. The site cannot be sold before then.