News / Development
‘Genuinely exceptional’ tower granted outline planning permission
A 28-storey tower could radically alter the welcome into Bristol from the M32.
Outline planning permission has been granted for the scheme known as Cabot Gate at Newfoundland Circus next to Cabot Circus car park.
It is on the site of what was previously the infamous 19-storey office building Tollgate House which was built in 1975 but demolished in 2005.
Historic England said they were “very concerned” about the proposed development due to its heritage impact but councillors approved the scheme by a vote of seven to two.
A representative of Horn Youth Concern spoke at the meeting on Wednesday saying they were in favour of the scheme because of its positive community impact.
Cabot Gate will include a 28-storey block of purpose-build student accommodation – image: Hammerson
Unsurprisingly, the architect of the scheme who was speaking at the planning meeting called his design of “genuinely exceptional architectural quality”.
A council officer said “the standard of architecture is very good” but a representative from Bristol Civic Society said the proposal “beggars belief” and is “not good enough”.
Another member of the public speaking from the public gallery in the council chamber said it was the “wrong building in the wrong place for the wrong purpose”.
In their statement, Historic England said they are “very concerned that the proposed development, by virtue of its excessive height and lumpen design and form, would cause a high degree of harm to the architectural ensemble of Portland Square, and to a lesser extent, the wider historic environment”.
Historic England’s statement added: “It would severely undermine the primacy of the distinctive and central tower of St Paul’s Church and its central position to the symmetry of the Georgian square.”
Lib Dem councillor Andrew Varney said he had never seen such strong language from Historic England and he was “worried” due to the harms of what he called a “blot on the landscape”.
But only he and Green councillor Serena Ralston voted against the scheme.
The proposed Cabot Gate development seen from Brigstocke Road – image: Hammerson
Labour councillor Zoe Peat said she was “very sceptical” around the application and could not make up her mind, originally saying she would be abstaining but eventually voting to approve.
Her Labour colleague Katja Hornchen said the “positivity outweighs the heritage concerns”.
Green councillor Toby Wells called the architecture “very Marmite” but added: “I appreciate that it’s more than just a rectangular box.”
Labour councillor Kye Dudd said: “I don’t share the concerns about the heritage impacts… It’s not that impactful in my view. I’ve seen worse but I’ve seen better.”
Planning committee chair, Rob Bryher, said he would “reluctantly” approve the planning application despite its height.
“The scheme is a very good scheme,” Bryher said.
“This is a city centre location in which we need to enable development.”
Main image: Hammerson
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