Baltic Wharf - proposed development
Comments
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I thought the Club had tried to buy/lease an alternative location, ex Police training centre or something, but couldn’t get planning permission?
Edit, sorry JVB, we cross posts. Though I was right though...
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Didnt need a crystal ball for that did we ? more 5 star waterfront housing, Not a 'badly needed' school at all. Suprise, Suprise.
Shame, a good city center site, no driving,can walk everywhere. Have managed to stay there a few times. Wonder where the replacement site will be ? somewhere totally unsuitable for tourism probably.
We shall see.
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Can't say I blame them for wanting more housing instead of a small caravan site. Wait to see how much is "affordable".
Just wish Govt. and local Authorities would be more honest about their intentions.
We enjoyed our stay at the site. You do need a mix of sites especially if you are going to provide for winter touring.
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We all knew it was coming and I suppose we should be glad that it has gone on as long as it has. Not only has it been under threat from these plans but also from the proposed ban on private diesel cars from the centre of Bristol which would have made it very difficult to have got to. It was certainly one of the gems of the site network and will be missed by many.
David
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Bitterly disappointed that this site will close. It is an absolute gem. We have stayed 3 or 4 times and it is such a refreshing change from the normal rural sites. There is always something going on on the floating harbour and in the city, all so easily accessible from Baltic Wharf. My husband potters round the harbour on his own, fascinated by all the engineering and maritime history.
When Crystal Palace closes as well the network will have lost some of its Crown Jewels and sadly I don’t see CAMC that interested in finding replacements.
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It is a real shame that Baltic Wharf has been earmarked for closure, but, as has already been stated, it is no real surprise. It have been on the cards for a number of years now.
The Club are always interested in finding suitable venues to develop sites, but it is difficult to find suitable locations. Many local authorities are more interested in providing housing. The Club has recently purchased a couple of new sites which they are in the process of upgrading.
I guess that, apart from the 'housing' scenario, long term leases may also be difficult to come by. I can understand the Club's reluctance to take on a short term lease if that involves spending members money for development only to find that the lease is not extended. I know the Club is always on the lookout for suitable places to develop sites. Unfortunately, it is not as easy or as straightforward as it might appear.
David
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Closure of facilities like these may well be detrimental to council income in the long term. Many city centres are suffering from declining footfall and the reduction of accessibility whether by pollution legislation or removal of accommodation facilities may well result in an accelerated decline of retail outlets/ tourist attractions.
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It would be handy to know, in the light of this news, whether any progress has been made with an alternative site in or near Bristol. Is the idea of providing a campsite on the old police land completely out of the question?
David
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When Crystal Palace closes as well the network will have lost some of its Crown Jewels and sadly I don’t see CAMC that interested in finding replacements.
Not so sure about that. Although BW is small it must have brought in a fair bit of money.
I will certainly miss the site. I would imagine the CC will miss the revenue.
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The site was mainly rejected due to possible flooding issues, which is puzzling as the whole of nearby Baltic Wharf is also alongside the Avon and it's huge tides! On my last journey past the defunct police horse premises the area was becoming derelict. I had wondered if land at Ashton Court (Country Park) might be available, this is just over the road from the horse buildings. But no doubt we'll hear if there has been any progress. Meanwhile it's still quite a shock to see the amount of "mobile home" living on the streets of Bristol, but that's another story, I do wonder if planners achieve the right balance. I always thought the Baltic Wharf land would go for luxury living although I see there is provision for a small proportion of social housing included.
Very sorry to see the unique Baltic Wharf site go, it started as a field amongst the old warehouses so it's had quite an illustrious history.
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I love Baltic Wharf too, but its appeal is its location and, for me at least, only its location because, otherwise, I find the place awfully cramped and unkempt. The waterside location and the close proximity to the town is truly wonderful and that, and that alone, is what makes it a gem.
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Almost all sites are a compromise in some way and I would have thought that for a MH BW must be, as you say, wonderful.
We have stayed several times over the years, and spent quite a lot of time at CP, but latterly as an enroute stop which, due to its popularity, was not often possible but it will be a sad day when it, and CP, close.
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Thanks for the photo Graydjames. Here's my memory of Baltic Wharf...
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I seemed to recall that, besides flooding, the alternate site was also rejected on problems of access, as it was close to a bend at the bottom of a hill. Hard to believe really as horse boxes had been using it for years and the access could be 100 metres from the bend.
Seems I remembered correctly, as I found the article in italics on the web dated Nov 2016.
Also don't really understand the comment re green belt. It is currently a very unsightly area. A well constructed site would be a positive improvement. Perhaps Bristol Council just don't like the idea of a caravan site.
Monday, 14, Nov 2016 10:30
by Ed Davies
Plans for a new caravan park on the site of a former police dog and horse training centre have been rejected
The Caravan Club had applied to build 62 pitches on the Bower Ashton site in Bristol but Bristol City Council planning officers said it was at risk of flooding, had poor access and was an "inappropriate development in the green belt".
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Hi everyone,
Many members will be aware that Bristol City Council informed us several years ago of plans to redevelop the area where Baltic Wharf Club Site is located. Fortunately, we have been able to continue operating the site on a renewable short term lease while the Council plans the redevelopment.
The plans for the redevelopment are now progressing at pace between the Council and the developers which means that notice could be served at any time, giving the Club 6 months before having to vacate the site.
If this happens, we will ensure that all affected members are notified in writing of the requirement to cancel their bookings, giving as much notice as possible to enable them to secure pitches elsewhere.
New bookings are no longer being taken from July 2020 onwards, and bookings for the 2021 season are not being released at this point, until we have more certainty on the future of the site.
We are still continuing our search for an alternative location in the Bristol area as we know how popular this location is for our members.
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so the school is not required,? after all the crying by the city council for the sympathy vote
