SCORES of residents are opposing plans to demolish three shops in Westbury on Trym and build 31 retirement flats.
More than 100 objections have been lodged with Bristol City Council to the scheme from Churchill Living for a three and a half storey development at Carlton Court.
The plans would involve the loss of three local independent shops in the 1970s centre: Kemps Jewellers, Number 7 Kitchen and Barberontrym as well as causing disruption to other businesses.
The Westbury on Trym Society, councillors, neighbours and other residents fear it could have a serious adverse effect on the village centre.
One resident said the village could become a ‘ghost town’. Lib Dem Councillor Stephen Williams said: “The application is of major significance to Westbury on Trym as it affects the viability of the village centre as a shopping focal point, with consequences for other retail and hospitality businesses.”
Many people noted that trade in the village had already seen the negative impact of a decision a year ago by the Carlton Court owner to block off a number of parking spaces.
WoTSoc noted: “Over the course of time the centre of gravity of shopping in Westbury has shifted from the old High Street to the Canford Lane area. While there are some vacant shops on the edge of the village centre, none of the modern shop units in Carlton Court are vacant. These are the most easily accessible for older members of the community.”
Before putting in its plans to the council, Churchill said its scheme would meet a need by providing specialist homes on a brownfield site and would be a “significant improvement to the street scene” while retaining parking spaces for the Co-op.
But WoTSoc said: “We do not accept that the benefits set out in favour of elderly persons accommodation outweigh the harm that will be caused to the function of Westbury on Trym as a town centre. The Society cannot support any development at Carlton Court which results in the loss of retail space in the primary shopping area.”