Articles

Activities

The Group meets as a whole every other month to discuss progress, share ideas and consider its workload and additional new sites.  Work on individual sites is undertaken by small sub-groups who use email to discuss the Group's business between meetings.

33-49 Victoria Street

The Society has submitted its statement to the Planning Inspectorate setting out its grounds to support the Council’s decision to dismiss this application to build a tall building at the junction of Victoria Street and Thomas Street.  The Society has been granted status to appear at the Inquiry.  The Society does not object to the replacement of the existing building.  It objects to a tall building in an area where the City has recommended that tall buildings are not appropriate.  A tall building will would damage the conservation setting of the group of listed buildings in Thomas Street.

Island Site Temple Meads

The Society appeared made representations at the January Development Control (Central) Meeting, which refused planning permission.  The Society does not object to the redevelopment of the site.  The Society objects to a tall building in an area where the City has recommended that tall buildings are not appropriate.  A tall building will damage the setting of the Listed Brunel buildings.  The Society is also concerned about damaging the link between the proposed Rapid Transport system and Bristol Temple Meads and the possibility of knitting this site more closely into the urban fabric of Redcliffe.  The Society proposes to support the City should the developer appeal.

Temple Quay, Site 6

This site is linked to the Island Site as the potential location of a transport interchange to serve the rail network, the future RT system and all national and local bus networks.  This is a proposal of regional importance and must be this site’s development priority.

University Bio/Maths Building, St. Michael’s Hill

The Society supported the response of the local planning groups to the University’s application to redevelop the former Children’s Hospital and other buildings.  The Society supports the development but not the design of the new Biology building at the junction of St. Michael’s Hill and Tyndall Avenue.  In 2006 there was a thorough and detailed debate that led to the production of the University’s Masterplan (SPD11).  The Society opposes the proposed Biology building because it is so much bigger that the one that the Masterplan specified.  The building would overbear the street and not “repair St. Michael’s Hill”, which was the aim of the Masterplan’s design guidance.  The Bristol Urban Design Panel said that the St. Michael’s Hill elevation of the Biology building is “not good enough for a conservation area.”  The Society will attend the hearing of this application before the Planning Committee.

Ashton Gate

The Society is exploring with local planning groups their response to this proposal about which the Society has yet to form a view.

King Street Bridge

The City obtained contributions from developers to fund the construction of a footbridge to link King Street to Redcliffe.  The funds are insufficient to build an “iconic structure”, which is the City’s aim.  The Society wants to explore the possibility of building a lower cost bridge.  If the City fails to build a bridge the developers are entitled to their money back.

Dove Lane

The Society supports English Heritage’s opposition to a 14 floor residential tower block beside the M32, which would not be consistent with City’s Tall Buildings Policy.  The Society is working closely with the local planning group, St. Pauls Unlimited. One Dove Lane website

Ashton Court

The Society promoted and supports the steering group which seeks to find a use for the mansion to fund its restoration.  Ashton Court is the country’s most heavily used public park. 50 years after the City bought the estate it is time for the whole of the mansion to be open to the Bristol’s citizens. Ashton Court Estate website