1 – 3 Ashton Road – 18/04367/F
This site is at the west end of North Street, Bedminster opposite the Old Toll House. Last year we published an item about the redevelopment of the Old Brewery Yard. Change Real Estate have now applied for planning permission to demolish part of the existing buildings to provide 94 new homes, offices, flexible commercial space, car parking etc. The Society supports the redevelopment of the site with an intensified density; supports the changes of use, the conversion and reuse of the unlisted but valuable former brewery buildings and new buildings along the North Street frontage.
However, the Society does not support the height of the two blocks of flats, respectively 9 and 8-floors tall, shown in the image. North Street has a pleasant, hospitable, human scale which these towers would harm. There are no nearby buildings of the proposed height. The towers are so close together that the Society questions the quality of the future residents’ life. There is no sun shadow diagram to show the sun light in the lower floors of the north tower. The podium between the towers could be an overshadowed and wind-swept space. The towers’ shadow would have an effect beyond the site. Apart from the objection to the towers’ height the Society supports their design and materials which are sympathetic to the character of the retained brewery buildings.
In 2017, the Society supported the earlier scheme which had two towers of 6-floors which would have made a significant contribution to Bristol’s housing stock. The local character could accommodate towers of 6-floors, set-back in the centre of the site. The Council must assess the merits of the proposal, but ideally should work towards an optimum density for the site and conclude that an increase in the height above six storeys is unnecessary.
John Frenkel
Bristol Civic Society full response [PDF, 176KB]
