We have been campaigning for 12 months to try and persuade the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and our Council to review their plans to sell the College site off to the highest bidder. We have openly published alternative plans and set out how this could be delivered.

All the vague well-meaning noises from the landowners that they would welcome a community bidhave apparently come to nothing. The site is now on the market and “surprise surprise” the development brief remains focussed on a private housing development; the shortlist of bidders will be selected purely on their financial strength and capacity. i.e Big boys win the right to bid; the rest are excluded. It’s that simple.

The Government supports the right of communities to plan their neighbourhoods; supports new affordable and self-build housing programmes, and have this week revealed their National Planning Framework will have a presumption in favour of sustainable communities. Everything indeed this campaign is fighting for. It seems their agencies do not seem to be paying attention.

Here’s how you can help 

We intend to send a letterto the leader of the Council and the HCA. We invite you as a supporter to be one of the cosignatories, and ask you also to invite at least three friendsto add their nameby forwarding this e-mail to them.

 
To support us click here to see a copy of the letter, fill in your details and add any short comment you may wish to make in your own words. The only information that will appear at the foot of the letter will be your name, your identity and your comment. (e.g David Parkes; director Bedminster College CIC and local BS3 resident; I do not want to see this College become a housing development)  Your e-mail will not be disclosed.

Many thanks.

Lots to catch up with. The site is now being marketed. BS3 campus as a campaign group has been putting pressure on the landowners to open this up to those with ideas, not just money. sadly but predictably they have not listened. The ridiculous tender is based on the model of biggest wins. We have to change this otherwise it will only be open to the usual suspects. we have a great vision, fantastic partners and huge support. All we need is a level playing field!

Thanks to Ange Shannan for this lovely vision of our future!  

Back after 2 weeks on the stage to report some project news

1.  Artspace Lifespace are hosting an open event tomorrow (Sat) from 2.00pm top 10.00pm. Come down and meet the Artspace team, see the site and join in the fun http://www.artspacecollege.com/events.html

2. Great to welcome Eden project to the Campus last week. They completely get the significance of this project and we are looking at ways we can work together

3. We now have a Community Interest Company formed!

4. We have been included in the Bristol Green Capital Future Conversations report as a “Game Changer”

5. Plans to set up a Youth Theatre Group at the College. get in touch if interested.

More soon

And.. Bristol Community Land Trust are holding a meeting at Hamilton House at which they will
be discussing an association with the BS3 campaign on 30^th Jan at 5.45pm. Please come and add your support.   http://bristolclt.wordpress.com/
  

BS3 Campus was born in March 2011 from the idea that we should not allow this College to be ploughed up for another meaningless private housing estate; that we could in its place create something amazing. We offered a different vision….and have been noticed

What we did

• ·            Two leading articles appeared in the evening Post http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/PLAN-CREATE-GREEN-VILLAGE/story-14218413-detail/story.html
  ·         We outlined our vision of a new community owned, created and managed by its residents and published this on our website.
• ·         Facebook and our website petition drew over 600 supporters. Keep putting the word about.
• ·         We have many organisations in Bristol and beyond following and supporting us.
• ·         We set up a community interest company.
• ·         We listened to the views of local people and our plans have been displayed at different venues around south Bristol

 What others did

 ·         2011 saw over £14bn handed out in City bonuses but only 11 affordable homes built across the whole of the South West!

• We saw riots, Occupy Bristol camped on College Green, the Government pledged their commitment to empower communities and address the housing crisis.
• In 2011 the Governments Localism Act came into force giving the right for communities to influence local development plans
• In November they announced their New Housing Strategy pledging support for new affordable housing models, self build, private rented homes, first time buyers and sustainable development.
• The City Council released new funding for Bristol Community Land Trust.
• The Housing Minister announced his wish to see a self build revolution in Britain. The College is now identified by HCA as a site suitable for this

 “I want communities of all shapes and sizes, living in the smallest of villages and the largest of cities, to have the chance to drive forward their own plans for the future of their neighbourhoods without being hindered by bureaucracy and red tape”.
Rt Hon Grant Shapps, Housing Minister

 Well, Grant, that message needs to get through to your housing department, the HCA who are sticking to their plans to sell the site and this will now be offered by tender in the new year. BS3 campus has been invited to bid but as long as this is judged on commercial value the dice will be loaded against us.

What you can do

We asked for the tender to be changed to reflect broader community values and involve the community in the decision making. The local Community set out 13 objectives in the Knowle West Regeneration consultation that are totally aligned to our vision. Why, we asked, is this not part of the assessment! we have not had a response

 You can help us even up this playing field by getting our voice heard.

•  You could write or E-mail Anthony Negus at Bristol City Council (anthony.negus@bristol.gov.uk) and/or David Warburton at HCA (David.Warburton@hca.gsx.gov.uk) expressing your support and ask them to confirm how they intend to assess the bids to ensure that community benefit and not price are the governing factors

 And  tell us whether you are interested in living or working in this exciting new community. We would invite you to come and see the College which will be open at 12.00 on Sunday 8^th January for anyone interested to come and look round, to join the Community Company and meet some other members.

 Let’s make 2012 the year of change. . 
  

The team at Bedminster College CIC

 Bedminster College CIC is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the regeneration of the Bedminster College Campus and the Northern Slopes.
Our aim is to raise support and promote and plan the development of a new sustainable community, providing a range of affordable housing and community facilities.