Who are we and what do we do?

Bristol Civic Society is an independent, voluntary organisation that exists to improve Bristol’s built environment and celebrate its heritage. We have existed as a society for over 100 years.

Through our working groups, we seek to influence the development of major sites, and new planning and transport policy. And we monitor planning applications. New group members are always welcome. 

Our Manifesto for Bristol [PDF] describes some key high-level principles that unite us when we work to make Bristol a better place.

We put on a varied events programme. In addition to this website, we publish Better Bristol (in the spring and autumn each year) and send out (by email) regular e-bulletins and event notifications. We are an active and friendly organisation with over 400 members from all walks of life.

Latest Posts

Planning Issues

Little Paradise, Bedminster

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Aerial view of site.
Planning Issues

Redcross Street, Old Market

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Dove Lane image
Planning Issues

Dove Lane, St. Pauls

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Planning Issues
Plan of Ashton Gate proposal

Ashton Gate

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In principle, the Society supports the proposals by Ashton Gate Limited and Bristol Sport (the Club) to develop two sites at Ashton Gate.

Blue Plaques

John Dando Sedding

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A blue plaque has been installed at 4 Berkeley Crescent to commemorate the architect John Dando Sedding. Born at Eton in 1838, he spent his early years in Derbyshire and then lived in Cornwall, briefly in Bristol and finally London.

Planning Issues
Photo of Portland Square

Portland Square update Jan 2019

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Planning permission has been granted for the development of this former short terrace of four houses has been Bristol’s longest running ‘building at risk’, blight.

Planning Issues

St Catherine’s Place

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This is a scheme to redevelop the site to provide about 270 new homes in five blocks between 4 and 22 floors. The scheme would also revitalise the tired St. Catherine’s Place shopping arcade;

Planning Issues

BRI car park

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University Hospitals Bristol has made an outline planning application for permission to demolish its 180-place multi-storey car park above Marlborough Street and to replace it with an 820-place car park.

Air Quality

Missed air quality deadline

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The Council has missed the government’s end-2018 deadline for deciding its preferred choice from the short list of options for getting air quality within legal limits.

Planning Issues
BRI Charity Universal Building

Bristol Royal Infirmary update

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Unite, who are the current owners of the Charity Universal Building, have not so far proceeded with their appeal against the planning refusal of their first planning application.

Planning Issues
Proposed new library

New University Library

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The Society supports redevelopment of the Hawthorns and the construction of a new Arts and Social Sciences Library (the Library) but regrets that it cannot support the current scheme.

Planning Issues
St Catherine's Place CGI

Bedminster Green

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Bedminster Green developers have instructed the Bath firm of Nash Partnership to produce a Framework of planning guidance for the development area.

Planning Issues

Midland Road

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A proposal to build 62 flats, 100% affordable housing and a café in a 6-storey L-shaped building on Midland Road and Midland Street, Old Market.

Planning Issues

Stokes Croft update

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A proposal for 348 bed-spaces of student accommodation with ground floor employment space, retaining and refurbishing a listed building at 25 Wilder Street.

Planning Issues

Watershed – St. Augustine’s Reach

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Watershed has an urgent need for space to expand several of its successful activities. The proposal is to build an extension on the Marriott Hotel side described as ‘backpacking’ the shed.