News / Hamilton House
Revealed: latest development plans for Hamilton House
Hamilton House artists and tenants have had a dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over them for months, as their future hangs in the balance.
Under new plans revealed on Tuesday, a compromise could be reached that would retain two thirds of the building for community use, something custodians Coexist have been fighting for – but it all rests on the outcome of a planning appeal.
The beloved artistic hub in the heart of Stokes Croft has been the subject of bitter battles ever since its owners Connolly & Callaghan (C&C) announced plans to redevelop a chunk of the premises into flats, which they say is the only way to pay for necessary improvements.
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Following a campaign to save Hamilton House, public meetings and consultation with Coexist, the company has put forward proposals that would retain blocks A and B for community use, improve disabled access and keep the Bristol Bike Project and well-being centre on the ground floor of block C, which faces City Road.
But C&C says it can only go ahead with this plan if their permitted development application is accepted after appeal.
If not, it intends to turn block B, as well as block C, into apartments – something Coexist and the wider community vehemently oppose.
Aerial view of Hamilton House. Taken from display boards by Origin3 Studio architects.
The new plans that went on display on Tuesday for public feedback include roof extensions for blocks A and B for serviced apartments, which it is understood would be for a temporary stay rather than permanent homes.
There would also be a remodelled entrance, reception and gallery area on block A, improved insulation and efficiency, better disabled access and greater visibility of the enterprises on the ground floor of block C, with the well-being centre relocated there as a more suitable space than its current home by the dance studio.
Diagram showing proposed uses of Hamilton House blocks. Taken from display boards by Origin3 Studio architects.
Writing on the display, C&C said: “Hamilton House, built in 1972, is an outdated building that needs updating and modernising to make it more efficient to use and function.
“To pay for this, C&C has proposed to develop part of the building (block C) into residential apartments via permitted development to take the smallest footprint viable. This would leave blocks A and B for community use.
“Should this option be rejected by planners, our second option is to develop blocks B and C to residential via a full planning application which is more administratively costly, but would result in block A remaining in community use.”
The company added that it is committed to “providing a building that enables a long term lease to secure the future of Hamilton House”.
Architects Origin3 Studio were on hand at Hamilton House to talk people through their proposals.
Public viewing of Hamilton House plans.
Anna Blightman of Coexist said: “We have been actively involved in trying to save the future of Hamilton House for the community, including negotiating a long term lease that will deliver this.
“These Hamilton House development plans are C&C’s vision, with some suggestions and input from Coexist, as to how this could best work. Following this public consultation, C&C will receive all the comments and feedback, which will inform their full planning application before they submit it.
“Coexist will support a full planning application or initiative that retains block B for community use and supports Coexist’s aims of providing space that best provides for the community.”
She made it clear that the social enterprise would not support plans to redevelop block B into flats. The Canteen is already set to stay and is unaffected by any new plans.
The proposals are on display until 7pm on Tuesday, August 21.
Anyone who cannot make it on this date is advised to contact Coexist by emailing space@coexistuk.org, or call C&C on 0117 942 3000.
Read more: ‘We need to secure Hamilton House for this generation’
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