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‘Travesty’ if planning permission granted for south Bristol’s tallest ever building
The smooth talking developers behind plans for what could become south Bristol’s tallest ever building say that their proposed towers “integrate smoothly into the wider Bristol skyline”.
But hundreds of objections have been received ahead of a meeting of councillors on Wednesday which will decide if the scheme is built on land south of Princess Street in Bedminster.
Council officers have recommended the approval of plans for a 23-storey tower constructed as part of a mixed-used proposal comprising 437 flats, 400 student rooms and more than 1,200 sq m of commercial space.
In their application to Bristol City Council, developers Apsley House Capital and Galliard Homes say “streetscape and building heights are arranged to form a defined and engaging urban character”.
They say that a “central wayfinder acts as a focal point, anchoring the street and drawing people toward the heart of the masterplan”.
“By encouraging curiosity and speculation, it creates a sense of intrigue that naturally guides people through the site and connects them to its broader context.”
The proposed scheme would form the first phase of Bristol City Council’s Whitehouse Street regeneration – image: Liz Lake Associates
Developers add: “The design of our residential blocks has been influenced by the local housing of Bedminster, incorporating elements that reflect the distinctive character of the Bedminster terraced houses.
“This includes architectural proportions, rhythm, and detailing, which contribute to a sense of continuity with the area’s established urban fabric.
“Additionally, the openness and transparency of Bristol’s shop fronts have influenced the design, enhancing accessibility and connection to the streetscape.
“In contrast, the student tower, viewed from across Bristol, is designed to align with the typologies of the well known Bristol towers, ensuring it integrates smoothly into the wider Bristol skyline.
“By drawing inspiration from these iconic structures, the tower will sit comfortably within the broader context of the city, contributing to the evolving architectural language of Bristol while maintaining a sense of place within its rich historical and contemporary landscape.”
A spokesperson for the Galliard Apsley Partnership said their scheme “will do exactly what regeneration is meant to do” – image: Liz Lake Associates
Among the many people objecting to the plans are those who support the rejuvenation of this area of south Bristol but who also call the scheme “inappropriate for the area”, “an eyesore” and “seriously detrimental”.
In their objection, Windmill Hill & Malago Planning Group (WHaM) said the proposal “is out of scale for the local context, ignores the emerging policy and current frameworks, will damage the setting and nature of Victoria Park, and have a detrimental impact on the animals that live there and use the green space of the park and the route along the railway bank”.
WHaM added: “We are concerned about the quality of the design with regard to its visual impact, appearance and suitability for the future with particular regard to overheating.”
An objection from Victoria Park Action Group said: “The overbearing size of the buildings will change the whole setting of the park from miles around.
“The development is relying on Victoria Park as the nearest amenity green space but the proposal does not address at all the effect the four towers will have on the park or its users.
“The proposal does not enhance in any way; it is a detriment.”
Architects say the buildings “have been designed to protect and retain views towards important historic buildings across the city, particularly from Victoria Park” – image: Liz Lake Associates
Also objecting to the scheme is former Bristol mayor George Ferguson, a past president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, who said the continued pressure to provide more housing in the city “is no excuse to do the wrong thing”.
Ferguson said: “The previous administration championed high buildings across the city with no apparent discrimination in terms of siting or quality.
“We are paying the price of that planning vandalism but it is not too late to wake up to the fact that Bristol will lose its essential character based on its topography and architecture if we continue with this arbitrary policy.
“Bristol South deserves better… To grant a planning permission in the face of this overwhelming negative opinion, versus the public relations statements from the applicants would be a slap in the face of honest public opinion.
“It is left to elected members to represent the people as they see fit.
“I ask that they take the important step of rejecting this application and sending the applicants back to the drawing board with a mission to create some proper high density, medium rise, place making with good architecture that provides fitting accommodation and landscape for future generations.
“To do anything less would be a travesty.”
Windmill Hill & Malago Planning Group say the proposal “is out of scale for the local context” – image: Liz Lake Associates
Main image: Liz Lake Associates
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