Homes for 70 people planned in six-storey development - but no parking spaces
Formal plans to replace a long-derelict building on Gloucester Road with housing for at least 70 people have finally been submitted to Bristol City Council. The application from Speare Developments Ltd would see the site turned into 16 flats with a three storey frontage rising to six storeys at the back. There would be no spaces for car parking.
The location at 349 Gloucester Road was formerly the off-licence Nooze n' Booze which closed around two decades ago. Latterly it was subject to a long planning wrangle with Wetherspoons, which finally obtained permission to turn it into a pub before giving up in 2021.
The 16 flats would comprise 12 managed as a single HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) plus four others. The development would be fronted by a shop on the ground floor.
Council planners have already received 20 objections to the plans from people living nearby. Most relate to the lack of car parking and the scale and density of the development.
One resident wrote: "These are slums, not the decent homes and flats we should be building", while another commented "An awful plan which will adversely affect the character and nature of the Gloucester Road".
In a document supporting the application, planning consultants Laister say: " The development has been designed to a very high architectural standard, with a three-storey frontage maintaining the established street pattern, stepped rear massing set back from public views, and materials reflecting Bristol’s character. A detailed design rationale and supporting assessments confirm that the scheme will not result in adverse impacts on amenity of adjoining land. The larger six storey element is almost entirely concealed from prominent public view points and as a result will not appear as a dominating or incongruous feature disrupting the general character or grain of development in the locale."
According to Companies House, Speare Developments changed its name in May 2026 to Sweet Project Holdings Limited. The directors are named as Alice Sweet and Gareth Sweet, with a registered office in the City of London.
