RETIREMENT specialists Churchill Living have unveiled plans to create 31 homes at the back of Carlton Court shopping centre in Westbury on Trym.
The firm says its plans would greatly improve the street scene in Westbury Court Road and bring social, economic and environmental benefits.
But Westbury on Trym Society opposes the scheme, which was unveiled at an online consultation last month.
Society chairman Andrew Renshaw urged Voice readers to look at the plans at http://www.churchill-westburyontrym.co.uk and make their views known.
He said: “Over the last few years traders in Westbury on Trym have been dealt a number of blows with various local issues such as the closure of three of the four banks, the prospect of significant parking charges in the Westbury Hill car park and the very recent closure of some much loved and useful shops, such as Mogford’s, Cindy Jane and Patco newsagents.
“At Easter, and without warning, hideous high hoardings were erected around the Carlton Court public car park, removing most of the car parking, including the spaces for disabled customers and family cars. It became apparent that this was nothing to do with the excuses proffered by the owner’s agents of possible occupation by travellers, the need to demolish the garages or investigate water leaks. Churchill Living’s recent consultation, prior to the submission of a planning application, has finally given us the real reason.
“Churchill Living, which already has retirement accommodation in Westbury on Eastfield Road – Amelia Lodge – has been offered the site for retirement living and on 6 October put their initial proposals online for public comment. The consultation documents tell us of the need for elderly persons housing and the advantages of this being in town centres. What has shocked the Society is that not only do the proposals take out the car parking, which the community is currently unable to use, but they would also remove three of the existing shops, together with a flat and would also require extensive alterations to two other shops. The development would take away the very facilities its promoters claim would be supported by the occupiers.
“Over the course of time the centre of gravity of shopping in Westbury has shifted from the High Street to the Canford Lane area. While there are some vacant shops units in the edge of the village centre, none of the modern shop units in Carlton Court are vacant.
“Carlton Court forms part of the heart of Westbury’s shopping area, or in planning parlance it is part of the primary shopping area, where retail uses should be protected against other uses such as residential ones. The three units that the plans would demolish are occupied by the established and much appreciated businesses of Kemps Jewellers, Number 7 Kitchen and Barberontrym, the 007 themed gents hairdressers. Westbury cannot afford to lose such businesses and the premises they occupy.”
He said the Society would make a detailed response to Churchill Living opposing the plans.