St Werburghs Community News

21/03/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy51ynnz017o

Avon and Somerset Police say an investigation has been launched into the circumstances of her death.

18/03/2026

No.25 bus route will continue under 2 new operators from 5th April.
Service withdrawn by First West but will instead be operated by Eurocoaches (Monday to Friday) and Stagecoach (Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays) following West of England Mayoral Combined Authority tender process and award

18/11/2025

Planning application for a shop at the corner of James Street and Mina Road

A full planning application has been submitted for this site next to Mina Road roundabout- at first sight, you puzzle how they expect to fit a building in there, a 35 square metre space at present occupied by a few benches and the popular Burgh Arts community billboard.

The applicant/owner wishes to construct a (small) shop, with rendered walls and an aluminium-framed door. It will be a relief to many that it will be for the display/sale of goods OTHER THAN HOT FOOD- ‘E (a)’. There are already numerous hot food outlets in the immediate area.

The application claims there would be room for suitable storage of refuse and recycling containers but it is hard to share their confidence- this area is already prone to overflowing waste containers and fly tipping.

The site is in the Environment Agency flood zone 3 (as is much of St Werburghs) but a flood risk assessment has not yet been provided.

It is possible that this shop could ‘tidy up’ this messy corner of St Werburghs, and perhaps whatever retailer is located there could provide a useful service, but the bins, the pavement parking, the poorly constructed flats here, suggest the owner is not very focused on being a responsible proprietor. The loss of the Burgh Arts community billboard would also be unpopular in the area.

If you wish to comment on this application, you can do so here:
https://pa.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SXP053DNKQH00&activeTab=summary

Looking at the dates, you would need to comment as soon as possible. The determination deadline is Tuesday, 25th November.

16/11/2025

Here's the latest Burgh Arts billboard poster (sorry, took the photo with a mobile phone).

15/11/2025

The Miners to reopen on 1st December?

28/10/2025

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/eyesore-bristol-building-sat-empty-10604030

The Council has been granted the power to demolish the building 'in the coming weeks' and send the bill to the owner

26/10/2025

Please sign this petition folks- now the old Kernow building is going to be demolished (and the owner charged in full) we need progress on what's going to replace it.

Forced development of The Kernow Building 48 - 54 Mina Road, under CPO

24/08/2025

Andy Council chosen to do mural at Ashley Down station:

Andy Council says he is working with the local community to make the mural "extra special".

20/08/2025

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/notorious-bristol-eyesore-could-face-10436743

People living near the site have been calling for action for 20 years

14/08/2025

Kernow building- new developments

The long-running saga around the Kernow building (50-54 Mina Road), owned by slum landlord, Mushtaq Ahmed, has been going on for decades. Drone footage of the collapsing roof of the building in September 2024 kick-started a new local campaign to ‘get something done’ about this, setting up a WhatsApp group (because you can never have too many of those) and inviting suggestions, including contacting local councillors for action.

Because the landowner is a particularly difficult character, progress has been slow, but Bristol City Council has not let Ahmed off the hook regarding the disgraceful dereliction in the middle of this neighbourhood and its impact on neighbouring residents. They have instigated a series of demands to make safe, repair, reduce risk and deal with fly tipping and tagging. Characteristically, Ahmed’s response has been half-hearted – occasional painting over tags, and surrounding the dangerous building with Heras fencing panels. BCC has fined Ahmed thousands of pounds on several occasions.

Now real progress is being made. BCC is working towards the demolition of the whole building. They have already served a warrant that enabled their officials to enter the site and inspect it. There will be an ultimatum – either Ahmed demolishes and clears the site or BCC will do so and charge him the full amount for doing it. This is the only way to prevent this building from being at risk of sudden collapse. So at last, Ahmed is going to start facing significant costs. A letter has been drafted by the local community, already signed by hundreds of households, giving full support to BCC to force the issue. The link should be appearing in your local street WhatsApp group, or DM this page your name/s, address and postcode if you would like to get behind this campaign (we’ll add you). There are other ideas being worked on to keep this issue live. Ann did a great piece for BBC, which has been picked up nationally and by other media. Local Councillor Tim Wye has been particularly helpful.

Then all that needs to happen is:

• Building to be demolished and cleared
• Temporary use found for the site
• A responsible development organisation to get involved (housing association?)
• An appropriate, well-designed scheme, probably residential, maybe some retail

This could take a while longer….

06/08/2025

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g840ydlzvo

The number of vacant properties in England is rising, causing problems for residents and councils.