Content area
Full Text
The developer behind controversial proposals for a key waterfront site in Bristol is set to be given a third chance to come up with a viable proposal.Bristol City Council has told developer Crest Nicholson to produce a new masterplan for the 6ha Canons Marsh site, to replace plans by Arup Associates which were rejected in January. An earlier proposal by Arup's was rejected in March last year.At a meeting next week, the council hopes to ratify the decision and give the developer a year-long extension to its option on the site. It is understood Crest Nicholson will drop its threat to appeal against the rejection in return for a third chance at the site.But Crest Nicholson's project director, Ian Cawley, denied it was about to drop Arup's. "Everything's in the melting pot at the moment and nothing has been decided," he said.This time, the council has told the developer to consult widely with local people to avoid the widespread opposition which scuppered the previous two attempts.A spokesman for the city council said the consultations would be "radically different" to the unsuccessful round previously carried out. He added that organisations which had opposed the first two schemes would get more of a say this time.But Alan Elkan, chair of Bristol Civic Society, said he didn't believe the council's assurances.He said: "I cannot understand why the developer, having failed twice in 12 months to produce a scheme for the site, deserves being given a third chance."It's hard to believe they will consult the public. We've not been getting consultation in the past - it's been insultation. Participation is what we want."Arup Associates' project architect, Malcolm Smith, said he had not been informed of any changes following the extension to the contract. "Nothing has changed and we're still working for Crest," he said.Arup's #200 million mixed-use plans for the site were rejected by Bristol's planning committee in January in the wake of widespread local opposition. Protesters described the designs as "inhuman in scale" and insensitive to the historic site.