News / Bristol
Campaign to close planning loophole after destruction of historic Bristol ceiling
Backlash over the destruction of a 400-year-old ceiling in Bristol’s Old City continues, as Historic England confirms the property now fails to qualify for listed status.
Developers intent on turning the historic Small Street building into student accommodation met with widespread condemnation last week after ripping out the ornate Jacobean interior before conservation officers arrived to protect it.
That they were within their legal rights to do so has prompted calls for the planning loophole to be closed and a petition campaigning for a change in legislation has been signed by almost 700 people to date.
is needed now More than ever
Neil McKay is hoping the widespread anger will help prompt a change in legislation
“I was outraged by the destruction of this ceiling, but I want to try and use the anger that so many people have expressed to try and make a positive change to the law,” said Bristol architect Neil McKay, who launched the petition.
“Our built heritage is irreplaceable and most people recognise its cultural and economic value, but, unfortunately, this act of vandalism is far from unique.”
Bristol City Council’s conservation officers had lodged an urgent application for 15 Small Street to be assessed for listed status, but it did not have any protection in the meantime and the ceiling was ripped out by contractors on Wednesday (August 30) before Historic England visited to assess the property.
Legislation came into play in Wales this year affording buildings being considered for listed status interim protection and McKay says if this has been in place in England – as proposed in the draft Heritage Protection Bill in 2008 – the destruction could not lawfully have taken place.
The interior of 15 Small Street before developers ripped out the ceiling
The ornate interior has been reduced to rubble
A Historic England spokesperson told Bristol24/7: “The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has now agreed with our recommendation that 15 Small Street does not meet the criteria for listing.
“The destruction of the beautiful 17th century ceiling and the fact that the rest of the building had been heavily altered over the years means that it does not meet the high benchmark for listing.
“Had we been able to continue with our planned inspection of the building before the ceiling was deliberately removed, we could have had constructive discussions with the owner about managing changes to the building in a way that respected its remaining historic features.”
The council’s cabinet member for housing, Paul Smith, called the news “deeply disturbing” and agreed there is a desperate need for a change in the law.
He said the council is currently looking in to what powers it has and confirmed the application to build student flats in the former Small Horse bar will now go before the full planning committee.
15 Small Street
Jim Tarzey, the executive director of Pegasus Group, who is acting as planning adviser to the developers and building’s owners, Midas Properties / G&E Baio Ltd issued a statement on behalf of the company on Friday (September 1).
He confirmed that Pegasus is working alongside BBA Architects of Bath on the application.
The statement said: “Pegasus Group are aware of the internal building works that been carried out to the ceiling this week, and the timing of these, and are content that the works needed to be carried out to respect the safety of the building, and were done so lawfully in association with ongoing refurbishment works, irrespective of the outcome of the submitted planning application.”
Meanwhile, the University of Bristol has confirmed it had nothing whatsoever to do with commissioning the development and had not even been aware of the plans for student flats, following calls for the institution to avoid any future promotion of the finished accommodation.
Read more: Developer who destroyed historic Bristol ceiling acted to ‘respect safety of building’
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