St Mary le Port development plans split opinion

The proposed development around St Mary le Port has split opinion in Bristol.

Some people are welcoming the chance to finally get rid of the eyesore buildings in this historic corner of Castle Park, after councillors approved a new scheme.

But the majority feeling seems to be that the plan for large office buildings is a wasted opportunity for this prime site, with the planned buildings too large and overbearing for this site.

The proposed St Mary le Port site as seen from above – image: MEPC

Commenting on the Bristol;24/7 website, DavidEvans said: “Agree the buildings are too high and will probably stand empty before being converted to flats; but it must be said that in medieval Bristol the church would have been surrounded by buildings!”

Also commenting on the story, rusty2000 wrote: “I think the MEPC proposal is aesthetically pleasing, the active frontage has some of what is needed in Old City; the shops, proportions and variety of buildings and use of materials adds interest; building heights are within city limits; NO loss of park space there is actually a net gain; the area around the new buildings will be cleaner, safer and more welcoming; St Mary le Port church will be more accessible, better looked after and visually enhanced; 4 old streets will be reinstated; there will be toilet facilities and, if that’s not enough, Castle Park will benefit from improved landscaping and CIL/S106 funding, which could be used for other historical upgrades and park improvements.

“The alternative is grim; spare the present eyesores and sacrifice the many benefits of the MEPC application until a ‘better’ proposal comes along and risk condemning the medieval core, in the historic heart of Old City to indefinite slumification, with its ever-present issues and escalating crime…there is no third way.”

Medieval thoroughfares including Mary le Port Street would be reinstated as part of the scheme – photo: Martin Booth

Councillors on the planning committee were also split over the scheme when granting it permission. Committee chair Richard Eddy admitted the plans were controversial, but said he thought they suited and enhanced the prominent central city location.

“Castle Park in my view is a bit like New York Central Park, so large buildings surrounding it may be appropriate and may actually add to the attractiveness of the location,” the Conservative councillor said.

Green councillor Fi Hance said: “It’s not the most beautiful development, but it’s better than what we’ve got and it’s a sight better than some of the proposals in the past.”

Labour councillor Chris Jackson said: “The site is an eyesore. It’s been an eyesore for as long as I can remember.”

Green councillor Ed Plowden called two of the buildings “too high and too massive” and objected to the tree loss, along with fellow Green member Tom Hathway.

Liberal Democrat Andrew Varney said he thought the scheme would harm views in the historic setting as the buildings look “too overbearing, too monolithic, too ‘blocky’”.

“Unlike you, councillor Eddy, I don’t want to create Central Park in Castle Park. I don’t think that’s appropriate for Bristol. Certainly not on that old historic city side.”

Developers propose “to provide a high-quality landscaped public space in and around the tower, to significantly improve its setting” – image: MEPC

Most of the comments in a Reddit thread were critical of the plans.

helic0n3 said: “This is just going to look as depressing and shite in a few decades no doubt. Then have a long drawn out debate over what to do with it and repeat. There is a church by the bus station which is drowned out by once modern looking offices, maybe they saw that as some kind of inspiration.”

Mramazingfuntime wrote: “Never ceases to amaze me. What a dismally ugly idea.”

Ambry wrote: “I’m kind of gobsmacked to be honest, this looks horrific. I walk through Castle Park every day, this is going to look hideous…

“If anything, Bristol needs more housing – not offices – judging by the rising cost of rent and homes. Even then, this location would be a travesty.”

Calamity_Payne added: “This is such a ridiculous proposal I can only assume the developers knew any proposal would get a backlash/objections so have started out with a proposal they know is ludicrous so when they make concessions it will be scaled back to something closer to what they actually intended to build.”

The proposed St Mary le Port development as seen from Bristol Bridge – image: MEPC

Main image: MEPC

Read more:

• Development of Castle Park ‘should not be to the detriment of historic features’
• An Englishman’s home is his Castle (Park)
• Men in hi-vis gather on top of Bristol’s tallest residential tower

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