Investigation after walls appear in car park
BBCThe sudden closure of part of a shopping centre car park is being investigated by a council over potential breaches to planning rules.
Bristol City Council said it had received complaints from residents after tall blue walls appeared in the Co-op Canford Lane car park in Westbury-on-Trym on 14 April.
Traders in the nearby Carlton Court Shopping Centre told the BBC they have noticed a drop in their income since the walls were installed, with one reporting a 30% reduction in sales.
Cyril Leonard, the landowner’s agent, said the closure was in place "while the potential for a partial redevelopment of the site is explored” but parking would continue to be provided.
Stephen Williams, who represents the village on the city council, said : "No one knew this was coming, but it has raised lots of questions about what the future intentions are for the shopping centre and the car park to fence off such a large part of the site.
"The owner must know he's damaging the businesses that are his tenants."
Bristol North West MP, Darren Jones has written to the council demanding more information "as a matter of urgency".
Resident Sylvia Townsend, 84, said she is "distressed with what's happening".
"This car park is used by many people," she said.
"I'm old myself and disabled, we appreciate having a car park that's right in the middle of the shops.
"We don't want to be forced to have to park on the streets anymore."
As well as parking spaces, the walls also initially blocked the only ramp for people with disabilities to access the shopping centre.
The landowner has since pushed the wall back from the ramp.
Mr Williams said the blocking of the ramp has "definitely adversely affected some people".
He added he is pleased the land owner created more space, but said "I don't think he's widened it enough".
"If they're planning to do something I'm sure they won't want to run into a wall of articulate opposition which they may well get from the residents,” he said.
"If they want to achieve something different on the ground, the more open they are with the community then the more likely it is something might happen on the site they want to happen."
In a statement, Mr Leonard said it was “very early days”, with "no firm plans in place" and the owner is considering a "range of options".
He added the owner is "committed to keeping the community informed as plans develop" and parking for shoppers would still be provided in the future.
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