14.2.13 TENDER Received Tender prices from 3 Contractors for the main construction work - all in the right ball park, so the project has reached a significant milestone and the prospect of construction is now a reality.

If I am ever going to start a blog this seems like the time, so here is a brief history of the project so far;

PLANNING

Bought the property, located in Southville - less than a mile from Bristol city centre, in 1997 when it was a builders premises and yard.  (Google the site address at BS3 1NH Junction of Edgeware Road & Upper Perry Hill to see existing).

Applied for planning permission to convert the first floor into residential and discovered that the planners would not accept that it contained a woodworking workshop on the ground floor and had an existing industrial planning use.  

Planning approval was a long, drawn out process, because various residential neighbours had developed amnesia or were new to the area so their knowledge of previous use was a bit 'hazy'.  

Planning was eventually granted with certain conditions on the workshop use and other  restrictions.  Apart from some additional sound-proofing of a wall adjoining the neighbour little work has been done to the building. 

It leaks, is draughty, rotten, and cold in winter but has a lot of character, high ceilings, a very quite and secluded south facing yard and incredibly close to all amenities.

As Southville became more 'gentrified' with rising property prices, it made less sense to renovate and something more ambitious was required.

In about 2004 I prepared a detailed scheme to re-develop the site and build about 8 flats with a vague plan to move, perhaps to France.  The proposals were very well resolved and made good use of the site over 3 floors, they were well received by the planners but a Planning Application was deferred. 

My personal circumstances changed and the desire to remain at the address became important.  I worked with my cousin's husband David, also an Architect, to develop the site in a different way and we concluded that 3 town houses, with workshop at the rear and terraced roof-garden above was an appropriate solution. 

During 2010-11 a fully detailed scheme was submitted for Planning Approval but despite prior consultations it became apparent at an early stage that the it was not going to receive permission so we elected to withdraw the scheme on the basis that we could submit a fresh application without additional charge.







At this point David had the radical idea to separate out the main corner building as an enlarged live/work unit, move the vehicular entrance from Upper Perry Hill to Edgeware Road and add a house to the existing terrace in Upper Perry Hill.  This made instant sense, gave me the potential flexibility required and most importantly allowed the streetscape to successfully make the transition from Upper Perry Hill to Edgeware Road and place a clearly identifiable independent building on the corner.  I had perhaps unnecessarily ruled out the possibility of moving site access because of the narrower road width in the new location and a requirement to move a Virgin Communications cabinet, but these seemed a small price to 'unlock' the site.

Fresh plans were prepared and an application for Planning Permission made in mid 2011.  Though the original submission was mishandled by the Planning Department a second version with amendments was accepted in a fresh application in autumn 2011.









DESIGN PROGRAMME
The detailed design process has stretched to just over a year and although there was an initial intent to commence construction in 2012, finances were uncertain and the level of coordination to present a fully resolved scheme has taken time.
What we did end up with in late 2012 was a very credible set of drawings that hopefully will require minimal changes so we can concentrate on any unknown or unforeseen surprises when construction commences, in a couple of months time