Variations to student schemes in Bristol City Centre
CSJ planning have recently secured consent to amend student residential schemes at Pipe Lane Apartments and 8-10 Colston Avenue. The current scheme at Pipe Lane Apartments (see picture) was consented in March 2011 and built out ready for the 2011 / 2012 semester. Shortly after, the building received a Civic Trust Award for its exceptional design which responded to an irregular plot shape. However, during construction of the building, it became evident that the ground floor plan could be amended to better optimise the usable floor space. As such, a planning application for an additional studio apartment was submitted by CSJ planning in July 2014. Consent was granted by Bristol City Council in November 2014. Consent to convert 8-10 Colston Avenue from office use to student residential accommodation was granted in May 2014. Construction works are currently taking place on-site to implement this change of use and to create an additional storey on the roof. The scheme retained the current A3 use (Indian restaurant 4500 Miles from Delhi) on the ground and part of the first floor. The ground floor comprised the restaurant seating area and bar, whilst the main kitchen was on the first floor, with owners accommodation behind. Following implementation, an agreement was reached between the building owner and restaurateur to relocate the kitchen to the ground floor, thus creating additional space for student accommodation on the first floor. An application to vary the approved drawings to this end was approved by Bristol City Council in November 2014. The main planning consideration in respect of each was the impact of the proposed amendments on the amenity of existing residents and neighbours. In both cases, the changes were considered to be minor in nature, not having a detrimental impact.
