Mixed reactions to St Mary le Port plans

“I can’t imagine anyone with a sense of local history or historical heritage cityscapes would be agreeable with these designs,” said amateur Bristol historian Nick Howes, referring to the new plans revealed for the St Mary le Port site.

And that was just the printable version of what Howes thinks of the scheme.

Plans for the development are for three new office buildings with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars on all sides at ground floor level.

The view of the proposed new development from Broad Street – image: MEPC

Outgoing Hotwells & Harbourside councillor, Mark Wright, appeared torn by the scheme.

He said: “A lot of thought has clearly gone into this, which is a refreshing change from so many of the big recent developments in the city, which could have been made literally anywhere and then dumped into Bristol.

“However, I find the buildings to be far too large – overwhelmingly blocky and oppressive in what is a delicate area. In that regard this feels very much like the University of Bristol’s recent plans in Tyndall’s Park, in that it aims to dominate rather than coexist with the area.

“Having said that, the preservation of the Castle Park itself is very good in these plans. This is what I (as former councillor for the area) and many others have been calling for since 2005 when this redevelopment was first proposed.

“From a preservation-of-the-park angle, I suspect this is as good as it is going to get. If the developers could be persuaded to take a floor or two off the top that would be a great result and make the plans well worth supporting. If they can’t then it’s a tough call.”

The development would be built in the south-western corner of Castle Park – image: MEPC

Alasdair Cameron, director of Somerset Wildlands, tweeted: “Why are all the new office buildings proposed in this vision dross? Why must almost every new structure in the city be the most bland type of old fashioned architecture. The city deserves better.”

Among the members of the Friends of Castle Park Facebook group, however, the reaction was slightly more positive.

Linda Longmore said: “Wow! Ok. I’ve had a good look through it all and it looks good! It’s actually making me feel very confident and excited about the proposed work. I’ve got to say that the main picture in this post (below) definitely doesn’t provide a fair and full view of either of the buildings. I especially like the building that pays homage to the Dutch House. Faith restored!”

Matt Stone said: “I really like the look of this. Glad the old streets will be reinstated.”

Looking along a reinstated Mary le Port Street from the entrance of St Nick’s Market on the High Street – image: MEPC

James Stafford Little added: “The pictures on the site really don’t do the redevelopment any justice. The reinstatement of streets and nods to old structures have all been carefully thought out and reviewed over and over.

“These aren’t buildings to replace the past, they are here to build on our future.”

MEPC, the developers of the St Mary Le Port site, are holding public consultation sessions to discuss the plans on Wednesday, April 21 from 12.30pm and Thursday, April 22 from 6pm. Sign up to the sessions via www.stmaryleport.co.uk

Main image: MEPC

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