Filton Journal

Phase two of north Bristol’s Horizon 38 scheme, one of the biggest mixed-use redevelopment projects in the country, is nearing completion.

Situated on the former East Works site, south of Gipsy Patch Lane, the area has been a hive of activity since construction began in earnest in late 2016.

Access to the site is via two new roads off Gipsy Patch Lane, now named Titan Way (closest to the railway bridge) and Taurus Road, both after historic engines produced by the Bristol Aeroplane Company.

Notable buildings currently nearing completion include a giant 115,500 sq ft warehouse (equivalent to the size of two football pitches) built on a speculative basis (i.e. without an agreed tenant), and accessed from Titan Way.

Paul Hobbs of joint letting agents GVA comments, “Unit G2 at Horizon 38 is a positive reaction by the developer to a real lack of any quality big shed supply in the Bristol and regional property market. The building is particularly targeted at ‘last mile’ supply chain companies such as Amazon who need to be very close to the customer – an expanding new market known as urban logistics.”

Adjacent to unit G2, and also fronting Gipsy Patch Lane, is a 35,000 sq ft trade centre for Selco, a national chain of trade-only builders’ merchants. This significant anchor occupier is currently advertising for staff and is expected to open in May.

Behind Selco, and accessed from Taurus Road is unit F1, a terrace of seven trade showrooms. The new high specification units, with allocated customer parking, provide businesses with a prominent frontage to promote their trade counters and showrooms.

Elsewhere on the site, Willmott Dixon has begun construction of a new 153-bedroom hotel for Village Urban Resorts. Occupying the prominent plot on the corner of the A38 and Gipsy Patch Lane, opposite Drive Vauxhall, the new Village Hotel Club will deliver a business class hotel with a business and events HUB and a state-of-the-art health and fitness club including swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

More: proposed seven-acre car supermarket will front onto A38 »

Avon and Somerset Police have issued two CCTV images of a man they want to identify in connection with an armed robbery at a convenience store in Filton.

A man walked into the Spar in Filton Avenue at around 7.30am on Monday (2nd October) brandishing a small axe. He threatened staff and stole a quantity of money from the till.

It’s believed he left the store and headed towards Northville Road, where he got into a vehicle.

He is described as white, of average to slim build, about 5ft 7ins, and wearing a dark blue jacket with a grey hood and a black scarf covering his face.

A police spokesperson said:

“The area around Filton Avenue is usually busy with commuters at the time this robbery occurred. Did you see the incident? Do you remember seeing a man matching this description go into or leave the store?”

“We also want to speak to a man who stopped in a vehicle at the scene and said he saw the offender get into a vehicle in the Northville Road area. Was this you?”

Anyone with information is asked to call Investigations on 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5217224421.

If you don’t want to speak to the police, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

Source: Press release from Avon and Somerset Police

The next Community Engagement Forum (CEF) for Filton and Patchway takes places at 7pm this evening, Wednesday 20th September, at the Pavilion in Elm Park, Filton.

Community Engagement Forums, previously known as Safer and Stronger Community Groups are about listening and responding to local people’s real issues. People in their communities know best what works for them and what their real needs are.

Items on the agenda for today’s meeting include a presentation on the Aerospace Bristol museum (due to open soon on the former Filton Airfield site), plus updates on South Gloucestershire Council’s emergency planning and the Patchway Community Plan.

Representatives from Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire & Rescue are also expected to be in attendance to provide updates.

Items from previous meetings that may be discussed again include the possible use  of white advisory lines in Patchway (in particular Durban Road), Speedwatch signs (“to be erected in the very near future”) and a request that police “increase their vigilance in Elm Park”.

More info: Agenda for the CEF meeting on Wednesday 20th September

Police have arrested a man after a number of burglary incidents in Filton on Thursday 15th June.

Between 4pm and 4.30pm, a householder in Third Avenue was disturbed by a suspicious noise and saw a man in her neighbour’s garden who made off when he saw her. The neighbour’s door was found to have been damaged, but no entry was gained.

At about 4.30pm on the same day, a family were in their garden in Gayner Road when they spotted a man leaving their house. He ran off and they have not yet reported anything missing.

Later that evening, between 7pm and 7.30pm, two laptops and a watch were stolen from a house in Cropthorne Road, Filton, while the householder was watching television.

Overnight Thursday 15th to Friday 16th June a handbag containing cash and bank cards was stolen from a house in Sixth Avenue. The ‘contactless’ cards were later used to buy items in a shop

A suspect was arrested on Sunday night, 18th June, in Filton Avenue, Horfield, on suspicion of burglary. A 25-year-old man from Filton remained in police custody at midday on Monday.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Steve Ives said:

“It’s great that people in Filton are prepared to look out for each other and report suspicious incidents like this – it’s a good deterrent to thieves.”

“While you’re enjoying the sun, do please remember to make sure your doors and windows are secure if you’re in another room or outside. It only takes an opportunist thief a moment to walk away with a handbag, wallet, or other portable valuables.”

More: How to get in touch. Security advice for householders. »