🚨 Protect Bristol – Refuse the Proposed “Meanwhile Site” at Knovil Close, Lawrence Weston
The Issue
Planning Application PP-14704066
This petition calls upon Bristol City Council to refuse Planning Application PP-14704066, which seeks planning permission for a proposed “Meanwhile Site” of up to 15 pitches and ancillary works at Treetops, Knovil Close, Lawrence Weston.
Protect Lawrence Weston. Protect Bristol’s Communities.
I am a BS11 resident. Although I do not live immediately beside the proposed site, I believe planning decisions that affect established communities should concern every resident of Bristol.
I am launching this petition because every community deserves transparent, evidence-based planning, meaningful consultation and the opportunity to have its voice heard before decisions are made that could fundamentally affect the places people call home.
Bristol City Council has submitted a planning application to itself, acting in its role as the Local Planning Authority, seeking planning permission for a proposed “Meanwhile Site” of up to 15 pitches and ancillary works at Treetops, Knovil Close, Lawrence Weston.
This petition is not about who may ultimately occupy the site.
It is about whether this particular location is appropriate, whether the planning process has been transparent, whether the impacts on existing residents have been properly assessed, and whether Bristol City Council has demonstrated that this proposal represents the most appropriate, proportionate and sustainable planning solution.
Today’s proposal affects Lawrence Weston. Tomorrow it could affect another Bristol community.
Already 160 formal planning objections have been submitted against this application, demonstrating the significant level of public concern. However, planning applications are not decided by a public vote, which is why it is vital that residents continue to submit their own planning representations as well as supporting this petition.
Why this matters
This proposal would introduce a temporary “Meanwhile Site” within the centre of a modern, new-build residential development, surrounded by family homes.
Residents would overlook the site directly from their homes and gardens, with some properties immediately adjoining the proposed development.
The submitted Site Management Plan sets out how the site would operate, including provision for generators during specified operating hours, vehicle movements and day-to-day operational activity.
Residents have raised serious concerns regarding:
• Residential amenity.
• Noise and disturbance.
• Highway safety and parking.
• Air quality and public health.
• Pressure on local infrastructure and public services.
• Environmental impacts.
• Demolition impacts and site preparation.
• Whether this location is suitable for the proposed use.
• Whether a temporary development of this nature represents an appropriate, proportionate and sustainable use of public land.
Planning decisions should balance identified needs with the rights of existing communities to enjoy their homes, health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Many residents believe this application has not demonstrated that this location is the most appropriate or sustainable site for the proposed development.
Why every Bristol resident should care This application is about more than Lawrence Weston.
Bristol City Council has indicated that it intends to identify additional “Meanwhile Sites” across the city.
The approach taken in determining this application could influence how similar proposals are considered elsewhere in Bristol in the future.
Bristol is home to more than 500,000 residents.
Every resident has an interest in ensuring that planning decisions are made transparently, supported by robust evidence and with proper regard to the communities they affect.
Where Bristol City Council is both the applicant and the authority determining its own planning application, residents are entitled to expect the highest standards of transparency, governance and accountability.
Whilst this arrangement is lawful, it places an even greater responsibility upon Bristol City Council to demonstrate openly that the application has been assessed objectively, transparently and solely on its planning merits.
Residents are entitled to understand how impartiality has been maintained and how all material planning considerations have been properly weighed before any decision is made.
We call upon Bristol City Council to:
• Refuse Planning Application PP-14704066.
• Demonstrate that any future “Meanwhile Site” proposals are supported by robust evidence and a transparent site selection process.
• Ensure planning decisions fully consider the cumulative impacts upon existing residents and communities.
• Protect residential amenity, public health, environmental quality and local infrastructure.
• Demonstrate that temporary proposals form part of a coherent, evidence-based and sustainable long-term strategy for meeting identified accommodation needs across Bristol.
• Undertake a comprehensive review of the Council’s approach to identifying and delivering “Meanwhile Sites”, ensuring future proposals are supported by transparent site selection, robust evidence, meaningful community engagement and clear strategic planning.
• Recognise that long-standing city-wide challenges require long-term, evidence-based solutions rather than piecemeal approaches. Bristol deserves a strategy that balances identified accommodation needs with the protection of existing communities, residential amenity, public confidence and the character of neighbourhoods across our city.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1️⃣ Submit your planning objection
The public consultation remains open until Wednesday 8 July 2026.
If you have not already done so, please submit your own comments through Bristol City Council’s Planning Portal. A formal planning representation becomes part of the planning record and will be considered before a decision is made.
Planning Portal Application: https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=TFSPARDNGMC00
2️⃣ Sign this petition
This petition is intended to complement—not replace—the formal planning process by demonstrating the strength of feeling across Bristol.
Our aim is to reach Bristol residents across the city, and gather thousands of signatures over the coming weeks, demonstrating that residents expect planning decisions to be transparent, evidence-based and accountable, with a long term plan to serve our community.
3️⃣ Share this petition
Please share this petition with your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and community groups across Bristol.
The more people who are aware of this proposal, the stronger our collective voice becomes.
Together we can make a difference ❤️
Communities have the right to expect that significant planning decisions affecting their homes and neighbourhoods are made fairly, transparently and with proper scrutiny.
This petition is not simply about one site.
It is about protecting confidence in Bristol’s planning system, ensuring that communities are genuinely heard, and asking Bristol City Council to demonstrate that decisions affecting residents are made openly, objectively and in accordance with planning law and policy.
Whether you live in Lawrence Weston, Henbury, Southmead, Fishponds, Bedminster, Knowle, Easton, Clifton or anywhere else in Bristol, this petition is about the standards we expect from our city’s planning system.
Bristol belongs to all of us. The decisions made today will help shape the future of our communities tomorrow. If you believe planning decisions should be transparent, evidence-based and made with genuine community engagement, please sign this petition, submit your planning comments and share this campaign with others. Together, we can help ensure that every community in Bristol is heard.
Please sign, share and encourage others to do the same. Together, our voices are stronger.
281
The Issue
Planning Application PP-14704066
This petition calls upon Bristol City Council to refuse Planning Application PP-14704066, which seeks planning permission for a proposed “Meanwhile Site” of up to 15 pitches and ancillary works at Treetops, Knovil Close, Lawrence Weston.
Protect Lawrence Weston. Protect Bristol’s Communities.
I am a BS11 resident. Although I do not live immediately beside the proposed site, I believe planning decisions that affect established communities should concern every resident of Bristol.
I am launching this petition because every community deserves transparent, evidence-based planning, meaningful consultation and the opportunity to have its voice heard before decisions are made that could fundamentally affect the places people call home.
Bristol City Council has submitted a planning application to itself, acting in its role as the Local Planning Authority, seeking planning permission for a proposed “Meanwhile Site” of up to 15 pitches and ancillary works at Treetops, Knovil Close, Lawrence Weston.
This petition is not about who may ultimately occupy the site.
It is about whether this particular location is appropriate, whether the planning process has been transparent, whether the impacts on existing residents have been properly assessed, and whether Bristol City Council has demonstrated that this proposal represents the most appropriate, proportionate and sustainable planning solution.
Today’s proposal affects Lawrence Weston. Tomorrow it could affect another Bristol community.
Already 160 formal planning objections have been submitted against this application, demonstrating the significant level of public concern. However, planning applications are not decided by a public vote, which is why it is vital that residents continue to submit their own planning representations as well as supporting this petition.
Why this matters
This proposal would introduce a temporary “Meanwhile Site” within the centre of a modern, new-build residential development, surrounded by family homes.
Residents would overlook the site directly from their homes and gardens, with some properties immediately adjoining the proposed development.
The submitted Site Management Plan sets out how the site would operate, including provision for generators during specified operating hours, vehicle movements and day-to-day operational activity.
Residents have raised serious concerns regarding:
• Residential amenity.
• Noise and disturbance.
• Highway safety and parking.
• Air quality and public health.
• Pressure on local infrastructure and public services.
• Environmental impacts.
• Demolition impacts and site preparation.
• Whether this location is suitable for the proposed use.
• Whether a temporary development of this nature represents an appropriate, proportionate and sustainable use of public land.
Planning decisions should balance identified needs with the rights of existing communities to enjoy their homes, health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Many residents believe this application has not demonstrated that this location is the most appropriate or sustainable site for the proposed development.
Why every Bristol resident should care This application is about more than Lawrence Weston.
Bristol City Council has indicated that it intends to identify additional “Meanwhile Sites” across the city.
The approach taken in determining this application could influence how similar proposals are considered elsewhere in Bristol in the future.
Bristol is home to more than 500,000 residents.
Every resident has an interest in ensuring that planning decisions are made transparently, supported by robust evidence and with proper regard to the communities they affect.
Where Bristol City Council is both the applicant and the authority determining its own planning application, residents are entitled to expect the highest standards of transparency, governance and accountability.
Whilst this arrangement is lawful, it places an even greater responsibility upon Bristol City Council to demonstrate openly that the application has been assessed objectively, transparently and solely on its planning merits.
Residents are entitled to understand how impartiality has been maintained and how all material planning considerations have been properly weighed before any decision is made.
We call upon Bristol City Council to:
• Refuse Planning Application PP-14704066.
• Demonstrate that any future “Meanwhile Site” proposals are supported by robust evidence and a transparent site selection process.
• Ensure planning decisions fully consider the cumulative impacts upon existing residents and communities.
• Protect residential amenity, public health, environmental quality and local infrastructure.
• Demonstrate that temporary proposals form part of a coherent, evidence-based and sustainable long-term strategy for meeting identified accommodation needs across Bristol.
• Undertake a comprehensive review of the Council’s approach to identifying and delivering “Meanwhile Sites”, ensuring future proposals are supported by transparent site selection, robust evidence, meaningful community engagement and clear strategic planning.
• Recognise that long-standing city-wide challenges require long-term, evidence-based solutions rather than piecemeal approaches. Bristol deserves a strategy that balances identified accommodation needs with the protection of existing communities, residential amenity, public confidence and the character of neighbourhoods across our city.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
1️⃣ Submit your planning objection
The public consultation remains open until Wednesday 8 July 2026.
If you have not already done so, please submit your own comments through Bristol City Council’s Planning Portal. A formal planning representation becomes part of the planning record and will be considered before a decision is made.
Planning Portal Application: https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=TFSPARDNGMC00
2️⃣ Sign this petition
This petition is intended to complement—not replace—the formal planning process by demonstrating the strength of feeling across Bristol.
Our aim is to reach Bristol residents across the city, and gather thousands of signatures over the coming weeks, demonstrating that residents expect planning decisions to be transparent, evidence-based and accountable, with a long term plan to serve our community.
3️⃣ Share this petition
Please share this petition with your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and community groups across Bristol.
The more people who are aware of this proposal, the stronger our collective voice becomes.
Together we can make a difference ❤️
Communities have the right to expect that significant planning decisions affecting their homes and neighbourhoods are made fairly, transparently and with proper scrutiny.
This petition is not simply about one site.
It is about protecting confidence in Bristol’s planning system, ensuring that communities are genuinely heard, and asking Bristol City Council to demonstrate that decisions affecting residents are made openly, objectively and in accordance with planning law and policy.
Whether you live in Lawrence Weston, Henbury, Southmead, Fishponds, Bedminster, Knowle, Easton, Clifton or anywhere else in Bristol, this petition is about the standards we expect from our city’s planning system.
Bristol belongs to all of us. The decisions made today will help shape the future of our communities tomorrow. If you believe planning decisions should be transparent, evidence-based and made with genuine community engagement, please sign this petition, submit your planning comments and share this campaign with others. Together, we can help ensure that every community in Bristol is heard.
Please sign, share and encourage others to do the same. Together, our voices are stronger.
The Decision Makers
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Petition Updates
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Petition created on 5 July 2026