News / floating harbour
Historic England oppose ‘damaging’ new building overlooking docks
Historic England is formally objecting to a proposed new development in a prime city centre site, arguing that it would damage Bristol’s historic and distinctive cityscape.
The seven-storey building on Waterfront Square next to the Lloyds Amphitheatre would block some views across the docks to the cathedral, Wills Memorial Building and Cabot Tower.
Historic England has objected on the grounds that the office building “will harm Bristol’s character and identity, and people’s appreciation and enjoyment of the city”.
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Historic England, whose south west office is in Finzels Reach, is a public body that provide advice to local authorities, developers and owners of listed heritage on planning matters.
In July, Historic England objected to proposals for St Mary le Port on the grounds that the scale and massing of proposed replacement buildings would not respond to the historic character of the Old City.
The view of the proposed Waterfront Place from Millennium Square – Image: NPA Visuals
Ross Simmonds, acting regional director for Historic England in the South West, said: “We are concerned about how this scheme would impact the character and people’s appreciation of this historic part of the city centre.
“It would have a detrimental effect on views from the Floating Harbour up to the cathedral and cityscape beyond.
“A dynamic city like Bristol needs to fully embrace development and we do not oppose change, but this scheme is not good enough to justify the damage it would cause to the City Docks conservation area, the setting of the cathedral, and the views of some of the city’s most important buildings and spaces.”
Simmonds said that “it is possible to accommodate growth in this area without compromising valuable historic character”, as many other repurposed historic buildings on Bristol’s demonstrate, pointing to the Arnolfini, the M-shed, Mud Dock and Watershed.
Developers say that the proposed development “strikes an appropriate balance between providing a positive and robust new focal feature in the townscape; and being responsive enough to its context to reflect, complement and gesture towards the best of the existing townscape.” – photo: NPA Visuals
In their objection due to be sent on Friday to Bristol City Council, Historic England says that “Bristol deserves better”.
Historic England development advice team leader, Simon Hickman, said that “we recognise the potential of the Waterfront site”.
He added: “The right scheme in this location could make a positive contribution to Bristol, but any proposal for this site must equal in quality the outstanding surrounding cityscape.
“This historic part of Bristol deserves a thoughtful development scheme which responds to and doesn’t dominate its surroundings.”
Main photo: NPA Visuals
Read more: Latest plans unveiled for key location on harbourside
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