I
am objecting to the planning application submitted to build a 3-story
building of residential flats at the rear of All Hallows Hall in Easton
BS5 0HH (planning application number 20/02804/LA).
My primary
objection is due to the detrimental effect this will have on the use of
the hall and adjoining building by the community, as well as loss of
light and space and overcrowding.
All Hallows Hall, which is
Grade 2 listed, is a vital amenity for the diverse community of Easton.
It is currently home to a weekly Cooperative Gym, The Ping Pong Parlour,
acting classes, circus training and community events including dances,
pop ups, live music, markets, arts events, film festivals and affordable
rehearsal space. It is also being used as a base for the 'Community
Care Package' charitable food box scheme, which is providing free,
healthy food to thousands of people across Bristol who have been
affected by the Covid-19 crisis.
The build would remove the
stage area of the Hall, where the community have come together for the
past 8 years to share music, performances and much more, as well as 2 of
the 3 fire escapes. This would severely restrict the number of people
that the hall could accommodate at one time, effectively ending the
ability to host evening events and reducing access to the various
activities listed above.
It would also limit the use of the
outdoor space, which is shared with the adjoining building - home to the
'Baggator' young people's project and 'Super Super Club' meal scheme.
All Hallows Co-op and Baggator, with aid from the BBC’s ‘Operation
People Power’, have been creating a safe outdoor space for vulnerable
members of the local community who already have very little outside
private space in Easton. As well as the reduction in numbers that could
be accomodated, this space would be overlooked by the flats, thus
rendering it virtually useless to vulnerable women and young people.
In
summary, I feel that the building of 4 flats squeezed into the small
space between 2 valued community projects will depreciate the character
of the local area, downgrade the usefulness of this well-loved and
utilised grade 2 listed building and will have a detrimental effect on
the community of Easton which it currently helps to support in a
multitude of ways.
--
Secretary, Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls Sports and Social Club