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. 

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

3 West Mall, Clifton
Events

Women’s Suffrage Blue Plaque Unveiling: Saturday 15 December 2018

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Map showing proposed housing
Planning Issues

Bristol Transport Strategy

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St Catherine's Place CGI
Planning Issues

St. Catherine’s Place Shopping Centre

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Past Events
Unloading bananas at Bristol docks

Cinematic Bristol – 29th November 2018

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Four films, capturing the evocative, changing streetscape of our city.

Planning Issues
Former Coroners Court and Lakota Club

Former Coroner’s Court and the Lakota Club

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The Society supports the proposal to convert the former Coroner’s Court and the Lakota Club and to extend the Bottle Works to develop a heritage-led scheme of 54 new one and two-bed starter homes.

Planning Issues
Portwall Gate

Portwall Gate – October update

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The Society unreservedly supports the redevelopment of land at rear of 100 Temple Street, Redcliff.

Planning Issues
Cargo Work in Wapping Wharf

Cargo Work – October update

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The Council has approved the scheme to create office accommodation using shipping containers positioned within the historic walls.

Planning Issues
Front views of Edward Everard building

The Edward Everard Building: October update

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In October 2018, the developers made their planning application. John Frenkel updates the Society’s response.

Planning Issues
Broadwalk, Knowle

Broadwalk Shopping Centre: October Update

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In October 2018, the developers applied for outline planning permission and here John Frenkel updates the Society’s response.

Planning Issues
Moxy hotel

Moxy Hotel update

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The developer (Vastint Hospitality) has filed revised plans that make cosmetic changes to the proposed street elevations. The Society opposes the current design.

Planning Issues
Wapping Wharf housing

Urban Living SPD – revised version

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Bristol Council has been consulting again on an Urban Living Supplementary Planning Document. ‘Urban Living’ is a policy that prioritises housing growth in certain city areas, with denser development, primarily on brownfield sites.

Ashton Court Mansion
Ashton Court

Update October 2018

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The Purcell Study investigating options for the Ashton Court Mansion is nearly finished. We understand that an initial draft has been delivered to the City Council and comments and feedback are awaited.

Planning Issues
1-3 Asshton Road, The Old Brewery

The Old Brewery

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The Society supports the redevelopment of the site at 1-3 Ashton Road (the Old Brewery) with an intensified density. However, the Society does not support the height of the two blocks of flats

Air Quality

Air pollution in Bristol

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The health impacts of air pollution are well known. Alan Morris delves behind the headlines on air pollution and proposes actions to improve it.

News
2018 Student Award image

Student Award

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Each year Bristol Civic Society presents an award for an outstanding piece of work by a graduating student from the Faculty of Environment and Technology at the University of the West of England. Here is the 2018 winning project by Lewis Hill.