Welcome
Bristol has distinctive features that make it special to us: for instance, its waterways, harbour, green spaces, hills, position, maritime history, industrial history, and the buildings, streets, spaces, and architectural history. We wish Bristol to live up to its status as a regional capital, reflected in its cityscape, cultural activities and economic life, to be a place its citizens are proud of, and a place that people want to visit, especially through its buildings, facilities and public spaces.
Urgent notices
What is Local Government For
Wed 15th May 2013, 9.00-17.00, Watershed, Bristol
For details and booking click here.
Nominations now open for the BCS Environmental Awards
Nominations by 5pm Friday 14th June.
Please send nominations to Charles Fox, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the building name, architect/owner/developer, and photo (if available). Note the awards are for buildings completed or opened in 2012.
Click here to see the 2012 winners, here to learn more about the scheme and here for the criteria.
FOSBR Severn Beach Line - Summer passenger count
Thursday 20th June 2013.
Click here for details.
Making Sundays Special
- Details
- Written by Beth Hargest
Mayor George Ferguson has made the bold decision to close some of the city's streets on designated dates over the course of 2013. This is his Making Sundays Special initiative.
The media coverage has focused on the worry about traders losing business and incurring logistical nightmares regarding deliveries. But this has been done in other cities, and surely Bristol should try these things too ?
It's an experiment If the first couple of events don’t work and cause too many difficulties, then the events will be discontinued. Simple.
But, the idea in itself is admirable. A hark back to more amiable times perhaps just like the street play campaign. Once a month over the summer and autumn, city centre streets including the Old City area, Baldwin Street and King Street, as well as Park Street on one of the dates, will be closed to motor traffic.
Bristol City Council is calling for community groups, activity leaders, artists and street performers to come and enjoy the space. In his official statement, George Ferguson said:
“Let’s have dance groups, fitness camps, Tai Chi, puppet shows, street games, hula hoopers, on-street basketball, street theatre, local history tour guides, judo demonstrations, comedy acts, plug in and play, choirs, stilt walkers, circus and everything in between. If you run a club bring your members down to join in the fun and maybe enlist some new recruits. Come and make it a success so that we can do more and open the door to making every Sunday special.
The dates for Making Sundays Special events are: 23 Jun, 21 Jul, 18 Aug, 29 Sept, 20 Oct.
Making Sundays Special Announcement
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/press/leisure-and-culture/join-us-june-make-sundays-specialStreet Play Reference
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/press/children-and-young-people/bristol-leads-way-supporting-street-play
Calling all Volunteers
- Details
- Written by Beth Hargest
Planning Applications
- Details
- Written by John Gillett
Planning Applications
The Planning Applications Group would welcome new members and if you would like to come along please contact the Group Convenor, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The Planning Applications Group meets every three weeks to review a selection of the latest planning application. We help ensure that the design enhances locally distinctive character and fits in with the surroundings and historical context.
Where appropriate we submit comments that are considered when councillors meet to consider the applications.
Click "Read More" below to see the most recent applications and comments.
Public Spaces
- Details
- Written by John Gillett
Public spaces for the Bristol Civic Society encompass not just our much loved 'green' spaces like Queen Square or College Green but all areas that encourage pedestrian activity such as the Centre, Millennium Square and our pavements. The public spaces group engages with the Council to influence the quality and use of public spaces.
Major Sites
- Details
- Written by Administrator
Major Sites
We monitor closely major developments in the city. These include the St Mary le Port site at the heart of the old city centre; the One Dove Lane development in St Paul’s, where a landmark tower has been proposed; Ashton Court, where we have stimulated work on long-term development to realise the potential of the building at the centre of this great city park.
City-wide Planning Policy
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- Written by Administrator
The coalition government is making changes to the planning system, to promote development, reduce bureaucracy, and empower communities. We are watching these proposals as they emerge, for instance the Localism Bill, and contributing to lobbying nationally by Civic Voice.
PublicTransport
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- Written by Colin Jefferson
Along withthe Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance, we campaign for an Integrated Transport Authority. The city council is developing proposals for a rapid transit route from the Long Ashton park-and-ride
site to the city centre. We are currently campaigning for quality light rail services along this route.
Click here for latest on the South Bristol Link.
Heritage Group
- Details
- Written by Alan Morris
For the last two years the Historical Group has been finding its feet and looking for direction. After much discussion the group will now be called the Heritage Group, using its members’ enthusiasm and knowledge to join up heritage studies with local conservation and planning campaigns.
Neighbourhood Planning Network
- Details
- Written by John Gillett
The Civic Society works with other local groups, especially the Neighbourhood Planning Network. To visit the NPN website click here.