Then about three years ago, someone was going to build a "National Composites Research Centre" on the site, which came to nought.

The National Composites Research Centre is not far off being completed at Emmersons Green I think as part of the "SPark" science campus thingy.....

No idea if the NCRC or the "SPark One" have any lead tenants signed up yet.

Bit of info....
http://www.s-park.org.uk/

Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57165902@N06/

Got a few photos the other day of the Environment Agency new HQ and new apartments next door down by College Green, as well as a few others..can we play guess the buildings?

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/7843/img0066bnz.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/2077/img0065ps.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/7734/img0064it.jpg

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/310/img0063hr.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2568/img0062cw.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3323/img0061q.jpg

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7100/img0060wd.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9876/img0059i.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2689/img0057cs.jpg

http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/1940/img0056ks.jpg

http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/2835/2collegesquare.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/8724/bristolgeneralhospital.jpg

Anyone got access to BD online??

I'd love to know what this article says..... it's called 'Bristol feels as though it’s been asleep since 1910'. cheeky monkeys!

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/buildings/urban-trawl/bristol-feels-as-though-it’s-been-asleep-since-1910/5015032.article

Some great batches of photos in the last few pages. Much appreciated!!!

Finzels Reach looks like it'll be half decent. There a few key buildings missing at the mo though - anyone know when they are planning to start the next phase? There's a big office block backing/fronting(?) onto counterslip that will be noticeable by its absence. I'd hate to think Bristol ends up with another half finished development area (Temple Quay / Harbourside...). Also, loving the environment HQ by the library. I used to work opposite the site in Brunel House. It's a great area and was crying out for a building exactly like this so i'd consider this to be a bit of a win.

Nice one Rupert.
That EA HQ - used to be cabot house, right? Quite like it. Looks fresh and bright.

Great pictures, I like that 5 storey red brick building does anyone know when it was built?

The National Composites Research Centre is not far off being completed at Emmersons Green I think as part of the "SPark" science campus thingy.....

No idea if the NCRC or the "SPark One" have any lead tenants signed up yet.

Bit of info....
http://www.s-park.org.uk/

Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57165902@N06/

Ah, that's what that thing is I see from the ring-road. I assumed that was another supermarket warehouse!

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3323/img0061q.jpg

I quite like this building. Nice work for once!!!


http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2689/img0057cs.jpg


Isn't this building just off of Kings Square? Really nice looking building and I go past it all the time (if it is the one near Kings Square) but I never seem to look at it

@RupertSB, what is the 2nd last picture you posted.

Is it the latest harbourside plot? The one between @bristol and Hargreaves Lansdown?

Anyone got access to BD online??

I'd love to know what this article says..... it's called 'Bristol feels as though it’s been asleep since 1910'. cheeky monkeys!

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/buildings/urban-trawl/bristol-feels-as-though-it’s-been-asleep-since-1910/5015032.article


No access here I'm afraid but here's a link to Owen Hatherleys blog which might be of interest......

http://nastybrutalistandshort.blogspot.com/
.

Nice one Rupert.
That EA HQ - used to be cabot house, right? Quite like it. Looks fresh and bright.

Yes - you're right Schmeek, Cabot House now HQ for Environment Agency, more offices at the corner end (available to lease) and apartments. I like it too, infact I may go as far to say it is my favourite completed building of the last 12 months!!?

Great pictures, I like that 5 storey red brick building does anyone know when it was built?

Its a refurbishment of an old and tired office building previously leased to North Bristol NHS Trust. They have actually spent time converting it to a classic Georgian style (on one side) and the quality does show. They completely rebuilt the shell but kept the concrete shell. Its now student accommodation charging £150 a week, finished about 12 months ago.

Gee31 - Yes mate you are right its the King Square apartments near Kings Square on Jamaca Steet.

Is it the latest harbourside plot? The one between @bristol and Hargreaves Lansdown?

Right again Scheemk - its exactly that building between HL's new HQ and @Bristol, the one they have just started work on.

Going back to the Enterprise zones - I was thinking about this when I arrived by train this evening coming back from Leeds. I agree that Temple meads area will be developed because it is prime land, however If I said to you..What area of the city is more important to you and to Bristol as a City??

Is is Avonmouth or Temple Meads area? I think by making Temple meads area an Enterprise zone we will increase the prospect of a serious and well designed piece of real estate being built rather than another building designed to make money. Avonmouth is massively important due to the Port expansion and therefore our future growth and prosperity in Bristol but I still think the City centre has so much more to go. Leeds centre is much more concerntrated than Bristol as the centre is so spread out here but the quality of the buildings in Leeds reflect the high density and wealth in that area, which makes the streets, restaurants, offices and shops in that area really smart because it is so undiluted. We need higher density quality buildings to bring the centre and wealth together more in my view. I would vote for Temple Meads area.

Yes I agree. Although Temple Meads has seen a significant change in the past decade or so, with quite a few big developments, with Temple Quay, Temple Quay2 etc, it hasn't really managed to fully reach it's potential. Avonmouth has it's own thing going on, and like you say there is massive investment already taking place with the port expansion.
I can't help but think that an Enterprise zone would be more beneficial to the City and help kickstart it.

Has anyone heard any news about the Bristol Airport expansion? I would have thought they would be starting construction of the new terminal extensions now / soon??? I've looked on the web, but haven't found anything about it. With the aiport continuing to grow strongly and bucking the national trend I would have thought that they would be rushing to get on with it. Its like Calcutta in the rush hour when its busy in that terminal... 6 million passengers a year squeezed into a hut on a runway...I wish they'd get a move on!

I think I would also like to see Temple Meads as an Enterprise Zone rather than Avonmouth, not least because the theme for the EZ in Avonmouth would apparently be 'Advanced Engineering', and I'm not convinced Avonmouth is the right spot for that, given that the existing engineering and science clusters are around the north fringe and the S-Park will be in the north-east. Also, the land in Avonmouth could surely be put to better use. If the EZ is really as large as I think it is, it would not only encourage development of the run-down section next to the station, but could effectively transform the entire St. Philips Marsh area (maybe even all the way down to the Paintworks) and the bit north of Feeder Canal. Only question is whether there's actually enough media-related establishments that would be interested in moving there (excluding those moving within Bristol)...

I quite like this building. Nice work for once!!!



Isn't this building just off of Kings Square? Really nice looking building and I go past it all the time (if it is the one near Kings Square) but I never seem to look at it

This is what should be going up all around Bristol - fantastic build there keeping the old look going.

Had a look at Finzels Reach the other day and will be back in Bristol taking photos tomorrow for an update in my thread. Looking good so far. :)

This is what should be going up all around Bristol - fantastic build there keeping the old look going.



Looks more of the same lazy shite we usually see.

Thanx Schmeek, I see it now.

Anyone going to this "Bristol's Bright Future" (http://www.inanyevent-uk.com/g_page.php?pageid=463&Pagetitle=Bristol's+Bright+Future+Programme) thing today? Looks a bit like an industry roadshow, but might still be interesting.

Anyone going to this "Bristol's Bright Future" (http://www.inanyevent-uk.com/g_page.php?pageid=463&Pagetitle=Bristol's+Bright+Future+Programme) thing today? Looks a bit like an industry roadshow, but might still be interesting.

Must admit I'd not mind reading a synopsis. Sounds like it might be full of puff to be honest.

Anyone going to this "Bristol's Bright Future" (http://www.inanyevent-uk.com/g_page.php?pageid=463&Pagetitle=Bristol's+Bright+Future+Programme) thing today? Looks a bit like an industry roadshow, but might still be interesting.

Good news that Bristol was chosen by Imperial Tabacco for its global HQ according to the slides that went with this event. The building looks totally banal though....suppose its an improvement on a disused cigar factory though and Winterstoke Road is a total mess anyway.

Good news that Bristol was chosen by Imperial Tabacco for its global HQ according to the slides that went with this event. The building looks totally banal though....suppose its an improvement on a disused cigar factory though and Winterstoke Road is a total mess anyway.

I thought they had always been based in Bristol or at least for some time?

as part of my apprenticeship i have to work for a non-profit organisation for two weeks, i am going to be working at the M-Shed i'll try and get pictures but don't be suprised if i cant:lol:

Excuse me being a bit slow but how do you incorporate photos from flickr or something similar?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61807005@N08/5619243448/

I can't see that pic Geoff. You need to copy the IMG code for the photo you want, there should be an option for it under something like 'sharing',(well that's how I do it in photobucket - take it it's the same on Flickr) then paste it on your post here.

I'm using mozilla so i go on the photo in Flickr and right click and click on copy image location, on explorer just go into properties on the right click menu and copy the URL:cheers:

Also i got a pm from RooftopsRudge on where some of my photos are taken from so i made this little map showing my viewpoints:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5619881310_3f5d1a03c6_b.jpg

There maybe more and i know that when cabot tower opens people will start using that for photographing the city again.

also because Bristol is so low rise most multi storey carparks are good for viewpoints, does anyone else have any good viewpoints for looking at the skyline and photographing it?

Depends how close you want to be.
Apart from the ones you have already mentioned, I personally like the views from Wells Road, as you come down the hill towards where it meets St John's Lane, and also the view from the top of Redcatch Road in Knowle, the bit where it is joined to Axbridge Road.

For slightly longer distance, try the green of the 9th hole at Ashton Court pitch and putt.

And for a much wider angle, there's Hill road in Dundry(go right to the end of the road where it stops at the turning circle), you might need your binos though, and it's particularly spectacular at night(and on November 5th!).

cheers for that mate appreciate it

so what big construction projects we got going on at the moment in bristol?

Finzels, the 5102 building on st james barton, theres also a big scaffolding set up in redcliffe ???. any other high building construction projects people know of.

il post pics tommorow.

Thanks to Schmeek and Arrho for your help. Hopefully we now have from not very sunny Hartcliffe and Hengrove, the Urban Splash conversion of the old Wills' offices, the new South Bristol hospital, a decked car park for the hospital, the new 50m pool and the Skills Academy. I think the intention was to clad the new pool in the same alloy that was used on the Colston Hall foyer. It certainly needs cladding in something, it's plywood at the moment.

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0550.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0548.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0546.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0545.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0544.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0542.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0540.jpg
http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j477/geoffbradford/IMG_0539.jpg

Finzels, the 5102 building on st james barton, theres also a big scaffolding set up in redcliffe ???. any other high building construction projects people know of.

Not very high, but don't forget Southmead Hospital (which is at least 7 storeys!).

holy shit :ohno:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/HISTORIC-AIRFIELD-CLOSE/article-3453441-detail/article.html

^^ This has been on the cards for a few years now. The value of the land for housing is far, far greater to BAE than as an airfield (upwards of £400m), and they've been running operations down for a while (the airfield is closed at the weekends now). There is actually a lot of interest in using the airfield commercially, for livery services, freight, private aviation, mail (Royal Mail, bizarrely, ship all the airmail from their distribution centre at the airfield down to Lulsgate because BAE won't provide a late aerodrome control service), and of course, the emergency helicopters. However, BAE have shown little interest in recent years in taking on their business; the land is still worth more.

Oh, and the numbers losing their jobs will be more than the 19 employed by BAE - there is a flying school based there and the Bristol Aero Club.

The aero club is run voluntarily by employees of BAe, rolls royce etc.
A few flight instructors will have to find an alternative operating base, but they are unpaid - instead they are gaining free air hours by instructing.

While the loss of jobs due to the Filton runway closure is a concern if most of them are redeployed then to me the closure of it doesn't appear that severe. Perhaps it's more of an issue about a Bristolian icon being taken away.

Moving to Bristol in August time and cannot wait. Will definitely be joining my fellow posters in uploading some pics!

The aero club is run voluntarily by employees of BAe, rolls royce etc.
A few flight instructors will have to find an alternative operating base, but they are unpaid - instead they are gaining free air hours by instructing.

The instructors at Aeros are paid. They may all move up to Staverton though.

^^Really? Well they are part-time, and it must be a small income because when I was a member a few years ago the whole hourly rate barely covered the fuel/landing charges. I thought any extra went towards maintenance/licences for the planes..

Staverton is a good call. Bristol Airport is far too expensive.

^^Really? Well they are part-time, and it must be a small income because when I was a member a few years ago the whole hourly rate barely covered the fuel/landing charges. I thought any extra went towards maintenance/licences for the planes..

Staverton is a good call. Bristol Airport is far too expensive.

Aeros was bought a couple of years ago by a businessman who owned a flying school at Wellesbourne and now covers Filton, Cardiff, Wellesbourne, Staverton and Coventry. The new boss decided to take them off retainers and put them on contract (and then tried to put them back on retainers again, without success!), so they now have 40+ employees on full & part time.
The three PA-28s and the one Cessna were on rotation between Filton and Staverton anyway, so I guess they'll just redistribute the fleet.

I also heard from someone at the airfield that whilst the pre-war brick hangers on the north of the runway are Grade II listed,the famous Brabazon hangar is not, meaning that this could be cleared if the land is sold for housing.

I also heard from someone at the airfield that whilst the pre-war brick hangers on the north of the runway are Grade II listed,the famous Brabazon hangar is not, meaning that this could be cleared if the land is sold for housing.

Hopefully the majority of the site will be sold off and used for something else besides housing i.e new commercial premises; a complete waste and potentially irresponsible otherwise.

^^ Dangerous?

SGC are still struggling to find enough brownfield sites to meet their new housing quotas. This would be ideal from their point of view.

Some more pics these were taken on the same day as the last ones, i just didn't have enough upload space on Flickr, sorry if there are any repeats:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5631447209_0495b70ba0_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/5631442707_1e9c07ba9f_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5632021662_b801c4e889_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5631433675_f63f3fa00c_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5632014522_b62a090ecb_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5631426909_f4ab96556e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5631421549_f05194a166_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5631999728_289586b3ed_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5631995192_26fef418ea_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5631408687_d9c9cb71bf_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5631987038_43dbbcd884_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/5631983118_8dee81173c_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5631965280_d7d8762477_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5631373745_c54146c32d_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5631948050_5df45cd682_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5631924908_1d7662d4de_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5631328863_01e89d3f18_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5631907370_d670655e84_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5631898222_f075dbbccc_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5631312445_aa9813cc5b_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5631892106_db79eb254e_b.jpg

Croydon House in lawrence hill is getting a re-paint:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5183/5631878424_3fce471839_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5070/5631868506_3162f09d82_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5186/5631858894_fc123238be_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5631271585_0b037d4e43_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5631848582_3e972ba44e_b.jpg

Some major works have started at 1 Redcliff Street in the centre. I believe Victoria Street will be closed on Friday to allow space for a crane to lift three new chillers for the building into the roof. We have just started installing new electrical supplies for the new chillers on top of the building and, for anybody who is interested, I shall post some pics of Bristol from the top of the building. Here are two I took earlier today:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5632365706_778b5fe724_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5632365706/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5632375060_d0ff4edde7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5632375060/)

Cheers!

Cheers guys!
ArrHo, my favourite froom your pics is the one from the galleries looking north towards Cabots with the Harvey Nicks building and castlemead together, not an angle i've seen before.

And many thanks to Monks as well. I've always wondered what the views are like from 1 Redcliffe street. There is so much to pick out from that first one. Would love some from other angles (a good vantage point for Finzels I would think, and looking towards Bristol Bridge/the river).

thanks Schmeek, its one vantage point i have always used some of my photos on Emporis are taken from there its a good high platform for taking photos

awesome, if you have a chance do some pano shots and generally just take the so we can see most views, over castle park would be nice

Ta for the pics, the area around Thomas Lane doesn't look half under-utilized though.



SGC are still struggling to find enough brownfield sites to meet their new housing quotas. This would be ideal from their point of view.

There's a large swathe of undeveloped land to the south west of the runway, it would be moronic to develop somewhere like the Brabazon hangers, talk about losing (potential) critical mass.

Some major works have started at 1 Redcliff Street in the centre. I believe Victoria Street will be closed on Friday to allow space for a crane to lift three new chillers for the building into the roof. We have just started installing new electrical supplies for the new chillers on top of the building and, for anybody who is interested, I shall post some pics of Bristol from the top of the building. Here are two I took earlier today:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5632365706_778b5fe724_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5632365706/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5632375060_d0ff4edde7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5632375060/)

Cheers!

Some more I took earlier:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5308/5634925845_3f2098917c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5634925845/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5635514914_03dae44ea1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635514914/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/5635520190_d75328eb72_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635520190/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5635527064_427e7e06f9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635527064/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5635531402_1e1d6c87c5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635531402/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5635535766_5d75ef4ab1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635535766/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5634959431_47b8bf1842_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5634959431/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5635544002_ecce642328_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635544002/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5634967119_c82901c0bb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5634967119/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/5634972533_53d332f78b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5634972533/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5635557160_730a8fb1eb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635557160/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5635564468_986e40fe69_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635564468/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5634990279_ee9e26fb47_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5634990279/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5634994259_7739204893_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5634994259/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5262/5635578708_da7cf79f9b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5635578708/)

Hope that's all the angles everyone wanted to see. Cheers:cheers:.

Great pictures Monks. Some fascinating viewpoints I've never seen before. You obviously have a better head for heights than I do!

Brilliant Monks & Thank-you!!!!!!! Never before seen views of the megalopolis... (in my completely biased view) Bristol looks fantastic from there. It reminds me what a great city Bristol is to walk around..... I'm gonna be looking at these pics for some time!

Great stuff again from Arho too - thanks mate, a few great pictures of some of post war Bristols architectural disasters lurking amongst that collection.

I've always felt that the much maligned One Redcliffe St (only visible on Arhos 2nd pic in his last batch) was actually a bit of an architectural beauty. It's only problem was that it was too short but there's even something about it's stumpiness that I love. If only the same quality could have been kept for all the buildings of that era, Bristol would be a bit of a modernists wet dream. Unfortunately not to be though and the myriad of failures in that era no doubt have led to the conservative attitude to new buildings that have managed to deliver so many bland buildings to the city in recent years.

It's actually amazing how many new buildings there are in Bristol. Considering how under represented it is on SSC there seems to have been constant activity for a very long time with some very big, city changing, projects being completed. I think Bristol started in a rather better state than some of our companion cities though (again, excuse my bias).

Anyway, ramble over..... back to my cave.

Excellent. Some really refreshing views. This thread is bubbling nicely again.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5632365706_778b5fe724_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5632365706/)

Whatever happened to the plan to replace the old NU building - in the bottom middle of this picture - it's such a pile of sh1t & always has been. I remember years ago we were talking about a beautiful cheese slice building for this spot by Stride Treglown architects (dreams of a Bristol Flatiron). With all the tidy (if not ground breaking) new builds round here, Finzels, the medieval stuff etc etc this is really letting the side down more than ever...

Great photos Monks and Arrho - fantastic views across Bristol. We are upping the game here!!

Bristol thread has it's game face on.

Great work Monks, i wish i could have been there i love heights the views are always awesome.:cheers:

Again thanks for the new batch of pics monk-let :cheers:

Also RE: this post, here's a link to Bristol article tht was mentioned earlier:

http://urbantrawl.blogspot.com/search/label/Bristol

Anyone got access to BD online??

I'd love to know what this article says..... it's called 'Bristol feels as though it’s been asleep since 1910'. cheeky monkeys!

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/buildings/urban-trawl/bristol-feels-as-though-it’s-been-asleep-since-1910/5015032.article

No worries, people. I'm no photographer, but as I just happen to be working on this project, and also as a big fan and lurker of various threads on this forum, I thought it would only be fair to share some of my views with everyone else on here. Bristol does look surprisingly good from the air; some parts of the centre look God-awful from the streets, IMO. I've worked in/ on other tall buildings in Bristol (including Castlemead), but the views atop Redcliff Street are miles ahead any other vantage point I've seen Bristol from. The lift is happening on Friday and, providing all goes well, it will be something to behold. If anyone is near the area on the said day, I'd implore them to have a gander as this sort of thing is an extremely rare occurrence in a city such as Bristol.

Cheers.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5302/5632365706_778b5fe724_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/61954791@N08/5632365706/)

Whatever happened to the plan to replace the old NU building - in the bottom middle of this picture - it's such a pile of sh1t & always has been. I remember years ago we were talking about a beautiful cheese slice building for this spot by Stride Treglown architects (dreams of a Bristol Flatiron). With all the tidy (if not ground breaking) new builds round here, Finzels, the medieval stuff etc etc this is really letting the side down more than ever...

I think the developers got permission (allowed on appeal) but it is yet another project on hold because of the economy.

It's the most central tall building, being right next to Bristol Bridge. That's why the views are so good.

I agree with jj - who sums up my thoughts nicely in the post above regarding 1 Redcliffe st. It just seems to fit really well in it's location and with it's surroundings, and has a certain handsome elegance to it. The footprint is fairly large, almost like that of a WTC twin tower, but the squattyness(think i've invented a new word there!)somehow works.

Also RE: this post, here's a link to Bristol article that was mentioned earlier: http://urbantrawl.blogspot.com/search/label/Bristol

Thanks for that, Delirium. A very well-written and enjoyable article, I think. Perhaps a bit harsh at times, but not unfair. It's nice to see things put into words which one could never quite express properly oneself (e.g. "Taylor's partly open-air Cabot Circus, which, tastelessness aside, is a spatially imaginative thing, all flying walkways and quasi-parametric roofs"). Many of the "problem areas" mentioned in the article are well-known, and plans exist to get them fixed up (e.g. the Future of Redcliffe SPD contains plans for the narrowing of Redcliffe Way and a public square in front of St Mary's Redcliffe instead of that giant roundabout, etc.).

It's not really hard to find areas in Bristol that need improving architecturally, to put it mildly, but that's also something I love about this city: when you walk around the city, you can just sense the potential everywhere, and there's so much variety, you feel it's just something organic that's just developed without a grand plan, and is still evolving.

In other news, it looks like the final piece of the Crest Nicolson harbourside puzzle, building 4 (http://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2011/wa/wa001/0420_6-4.pdf) and the promenade, was finally approved (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Dockside-block-finally-approved/article-3474793-detail/article.html). Looks better than the previous designs, in my opinion, but my expectations were low anyway. Anything that distracts from the disaster that's the Crescent building is a good thing, I think, and I'd really like to see the promenade finished.

[QUOTE=tpm;76442543], and plans exist to get them fixed up (e.g. the Future of Redcliffe SPD contains plans for the narrowing of Redcliffe Way and a public square in front of St Mary's Redcliffe instead of that giant roundabout, etc.).[QUOTE]

Yes, it would also be nice to see the church externally cleaned, as the pollution from passing traffic is rapidly turning it black! This kind of adds to it's gothic broodyness, but I can't help but think it would also look stunning if it were given the treatment the Wills Memorial had a few years back where the results were quite stunning IMO.

on the bridge between Queen Sq and Redcliffe they're narrowing the road - making it just 1 lane with a dedicated bike lane as well - hopefully that's just the start of them remodelling the roads around there and getting rid of the roundabout.

Thanks for that, Delirium. A very well-written and enjoyable article, I think. Perhaps a bit harsh at times, but not unfair. It's nice to see things put into words which one could never quite express properly oneself (e.g. "Taylor's partly open-air Cabot Circus, which, tastelessness aside, is a spatially imaginative thing, all flying walkways and quasi-parametric roofs"). Many of the "problem areas" mentioned in the article are well-known, and plans exist to get them fixed up (e.g. the Future of Redcliffe SPD contains plans for the narrowing of Redcliffe Way and a public square in front of St Mary's Redcliffe instead of that giant roundabout, etc.).

It's not really hard to find areas in Bristol that need improving architecturally, to put it mildly, but that's also something I love about this city: when you walk around the city, you can just sense the potential everywhere, and there's so much variety, you feel it's just something organic that's just developed without a grand plan, and is still evolving.



Thanks Delirium - very interesting. I agree with TPM - harsh but fair.

The arrival at Temple Meads is astonishing in Bristol. How it has managed to be so dreadful for so long is anyones guess. Even the huge investment at Temple Quay never managed to change the feeling at arrival. The connection from TM to TQ is unbelievably obscure, laughably so. There is no natural flow from the major station to the beginning of the major business district right next door. it's almost a scramble & a bit of guesswork to get from A to B........ :ohno:

The comments he makes re the modernist city planners 'laneways' are also brilliant & right on the money. I always loved the hidden narrow lanes that hark back to medieval times and take you an a fascinating journey to get from Broadmead through the old city to the centre, avoiding the cavernous roadways and architectural dross of Lewins Mead. I've always felt these were a bit of Bristol Magic, never quite executed properly but exciting none the less. They were supposed to connect with raised footpaths around the 'modern' buildings of 50's & 60's, completely separating the cars from the people and linking ancient city with modern. Conceptually a great idea (if not in reality) & it would be interesting (& possibly horrifying) to see now if it had been completed at the time.

I just had a browse through the first page again, with the summary of projects, and it's really quite staggering the amount of development we've seen/are seeing in Bristol over the last 5 years. I'd say that over 50% of that list has been completed, maybe as much as 65%.

It could probably do with updating, to say which have been completed, and new projects to be added, such as BCFC's new stadium at Ashton Vale, the Sainsburys, and housing project at the old Sainsburys, and the hotels in Redcliffe and St. James Barton (went past that last night -sorry no pics - and it is already looking half complete, with signage etc).

Going back to that list, one of the developments that stands out is the one for offices next to the car park at Cabot's Circus. I personally think visually they would improve the area dramatically.

That's interesting Schmeek, I hadn't really thought about the amount of stuff completed in the last 5 years. My wish list for the next 5 years would be;

Harbourside (including Redcliffe Wharf and Welsh Back) complete
The island site with the Grosvenor hotel on it redeveloped
The road in front of St Mary Redcliffe moved and a public square built in front of it
New stadia for Rovers and City
The Cabot Circus offices mentioned by Schmeek
The old sorting office at Temple Meads redeveloped
An indoor arena (basketball venue spare after 2012 anyone?)
Ultra light rail system
St Mary le Port
The cleared sites on Temple Way

Any other suggestions?

Any other suggestions?

Redcliffe Village, ie. the redevelopment of the entire block in the lower left corner in this picture (http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5224/5635514914_03dae44ea1_b.jpg) by Monks), including a new pedestrian/cycle bridge from Kings Street to Toto's/Thomas Lane.

Wapping Wharf, ie. the entire area behind the M-Shed / Museum of Bristol. Also the Bristol General Hospital site next to Bathurst Basin / Lower Guinea Street.

The area south west of the floating harbour where the Create center and the other red brick warehouse is. That area has so much potential, if only one could get rid of one or two of the ramps up to the flyover, or re-arrange them a little. (Not aware of any plans for this area though).

Btw, talking about unusual perspectives, I found the background images on these slides (http://www.inanyevent-uk.com/presentations/ned-bristol2.ppt) quite nice (slide 1, but also slide 15), never seen arial shots from that angle. Wonder if they're available somewhere without the foreground.

Yes Wapping wharf would be great. And I really like your idea about the cumberland basin/create centre area. If only they could overhaul the road network around there it would be a prime site. I know the local residents have been petitioning for the underpasses/areas under the flyovers on the northern side to be made more attractive/useable (maybe a park?).

And I'm also loving those aerial shots. They illustrate how important the former royal mail site is. Would've loved that to have been the Arena. Pity the SWRDA were outbid by people who have chosen to do f*ck all with the site.

Just above and to the left of the Royal Mail depot on that 1st slide is the cleared site owned by SWRDA, originally intended for an indoor arena. Presumably it's ownership will now be transferred to the City Council. I wonder what (if anything) they intend to do with it? With an access road across the river and right next to Temple Meads it should be a very attractive site for development. Ideally an arena but if we ever get one Ashton Vale seems more likely, I just think that's the wrong place.

Yeah I just think the RM site is the better of the two, although I suppose one could argue the former diesel depot is better as it lies next to the main road.

Question to all: If you could demolish one building in Bristol, which would it be?

It's a pity we don't have our own sub forum in which to post new topics and polls like these.

Maybe we should pressure mods, I think it's insane that Bristol or even the South West doesn't have its own forum.

There has been on/off discussion about whether there should be a south of England sub forum for a long time, but nothing ever gets done. There is a thread in the forum issues section.
There never seems to be any formal response from the mods, and after more umming and arring the issue settles down and disappears again for another 6 months or so.

Question to all: If you could demolish one building in Bristol, which would it be?



Regardless of the AV vote on May 5th my rank order for demolition would be;

1. Castlemead
2. Greyfriars
3. Froomsgate House
4. St Lawrence House
5. Whitefriars

Regardless of the AV vote on May 5th my rank order for demolition would be;

1. Castlemead
2. Greyfriars
3. Froomsgate House
4. St Lawrence House
5. Whitefriars

Sorry, you've lost me there..?

Castlemead wouldn't be on my list, neither would Whitefriars. In fact, the former is one of my favs.

I think he was joking about the ordering of the buildings in an AV fashion.

Question to all: If you could demolish one building in Bristol, which would it be?

The old royal mail building,
or the hideous eyesore in stokes croft

It'd be nice if they'd demolish the Galleries shopping centre; it's outdated on so many levels, take Newgate for example, it could be a really nice shopping thoroughfare but instead it's the entrance to the multi-storey car park which in turn segregates the park from the shopping core.

Buildings to be demolished ummmmm ... well there are quite a few hideous buildings built after the war and in the 60s and 70s in Bristol:

1. I too would go for the Eyesore on Stokes Croft (although at this rate it will be burned down by an angry mob before you can say “I shop at Tesco ”)

2. One of my all time worse Bristol buildings...Temple House (I think) opposite Temple Meads station (basically the first impression of Bristol leaving the beautiful Brunel built station), Perhaps the concrete structure could be maintained but completely re-clad and designed.

3. Post Office Sorting building (again it ruins the gateway to Bristol for anyone travelling by train, essentially a vast amount people including huge numbers from that big city in the East and many influential business people and tourists).

4. Old Civic Courts in Lewin Meads area (this should happen soon anyway but I hate it)

5. Pet hate building..that hotel passed St Mary Redcliffe on the right hand side (grey concrete building devoid of any soul, a disgrace to post modern architecture)

6. lots of old warehouses in the Redcliffe area.(sorry we said 5 - I will stop now)

Maybe we should pressure mods, I think it's insane that Bristol or even the South West doesn't have its own forum.

It does seem madness that Greater Bristol area or perhaps the South West can't have it's own forum. I would even be in favour of a Southern England forum.

2. One of my all time worse Bristol buildings...Temple House (I think) opposite Temple Meads station (basically the first impression of Bristol leaving the beautiful Brunel built station), Perhaps the concrete structure could be maintained but completely re-clad and designed.

A-ha! Wondered if anyone would mention this...If this is the same one we're talking about - the hotel at the bottom of station approach?? - this building was responsible for me asking the question in the first place. It is so hideous and creates a claustrophobic feel. Just wish it were bulldozed along with the other buildings including that old derelict petrol station which seems to have been sitting there as long as grovsenor house.

It does seem madness that Greater Bristol area or perhaps the South West can't have it's own forum. I would even be in favour of a Southern England forum.

Maybe we should all simultanously apply a wee bit of pressure in conjunction with other South forumers on those that can act for us. Any ideas? Do we pester Gothic or any mod in particular?

Disappointing news for BCFC, this new stadium is vital for their progression:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-13194678

I think he was joking about the ordering of the buildings in an AV fashion.

Sorry, was in s-l-o-w mode that day!

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/NEW-TRAM-VISION-FUTURE/article-3517420-detail/article.html

Sounds promising.

New tram vision for the future: Bristol streets could see 'Ultra Light Rail' network (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/NEW-TRAM-VISION-FUTURE/article-3517420-detail/article.html)

Sounds promising.

It does sound promising, but it's also all a bit wishy-washy. So who's proposing all that? As I understand it, it's the Sustraco Bristol Tram Consortium, and there's zero political backing at all so far. The scheme is much cheaper than the BRT proposals of course, but it also doesn't contain a city centre circuit, nor does it go to Temple Meads (one of the major office districts people commute to), so overall it's really not that valuable, other than a first step of some sort is done. But then what are the next steps? The BRT system included a whole bunch of lines after all.

Furthermore, by only running the line to the museum (mostly completely segregated from traffic) they're basically circumventing a lot of engineering difficulties and other cost factors (interchange at Temple Meads or underpass under Temple gyratory or traffic reflow) and the problems of 'mixed-mode' operation of this new technology.

It would be really nice if this scheme gained political backing and got beefed up a little, but as it stands, it seems a little bit half-baked.

Update: This document (http://www.franc.org.uk/assets/files/FrANC%20ULRT%20Meeting-%20summary.pdf) seems to have some more information on the scheme as well.

On the plus side, I think more people would switch from their cars to a tram rather than from a car to bus (even a bendy bus).

On the negative side though, this tram doesn't really go anywhere at either end of it's route. Why build a new Park and Ride site instead of starting it at the existing Long Ashton Park and Ride? It it'll need to go to Temple Meads in phase 1 as well.

They say that this will be just a 3rd of the cost to setup as the BRT bendy bus scheme, which I would find hard to believe anyway, but if it is that cheap that's probably because it's a much shorter route than the BRT.

I'm in favour of this over the bendy bus. Any form of non-bus public transport gets my vote. Yes it is not very ambitious but it is cost effective and will hopefully be the start of the beginning. The extension to Temple Meads is an absolute must in my view and the circuit around broadmead and cabot another crucial addition.

The link TPM has posted is very interesting indeed. In times of tighening public purse it's scheme like this which should get the support of the Ministry of Transport because it is a building block for the future and hopefully in time a self funding profitable project with limited financial rish to the public sector.

Thumbs up from me!! :banana2:

Has anyone got any examples of what these ULR vehicles look like?

The summary PDF linked above shows the following image, and compares it to the Stourbridge Parry People Mover (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parry_People_Movers) trial.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/6545/ulrl.jpg (http://img219.imageshack.us/i/ulrl.jpg/)

This would be a massive improvement on the BRT scheme, IMO.

It does not concern me that there seems to be a lack of cohesion regarding this latest tram proposal. A masterplan may yet to be developed,but what is more important at this stage is that we have some impetus to get things rolling, to create the spark and act as a catalyst when the time comes. The tram needs to get it's foot in the door, and it's much easier for a council to justify it when costs are low and in effect trial it on a strip of land that is of relative low importance transport wise(in other words it's not gonna be holding up traffic or crossing roads), yet still at the beating heart of the city with a decent chance of success. Once it is proven we can start adding to it piecemeal, and with the public (hopefully) becoming positively attached to it it would become much easier to obtain and splash more cash on it. I don't know why the tram is so much more appealing than a bus, but I really does feel like the general consensus is pro tram rather than bendy bus. I suppose there's something romantic about a tram, and these new vehicles seem to be simultaneously historic and futuristic.

Surely if there's impetus, it's already there with the BRT? We were told that the BRT was the low cost, efficient alternative to the previously mooted light rail schemes? What's changed?
At least the BRT plan served busy corridors out to the edge of the city (Hengrove, Bradley Stoke, Emerson's Green). This just seems to be a local shuttle system right in the centre.

Surely if there's impetus, it's already there with the BRT? We were told that the BRT was the low cost, efficient alternative to the previously mooted light rail schemes? What's changed?
At least the BRT plan served busy corridors out to the edge of the city (Hengrove, Bradley Stoke, Emerson's Green). This just seems to be a local shuttle system right in the centre.

It may be something to do about the amount of money available from Government. The previous administration favoured bus schemes, giving up to 90% of the cost, but only 75% for light rail (my figures are from memory so may be somewhat inaccurate!) If the balance has changed, and I don't know if it has, then a rail based scheme may be a more attractive option than it was.

I don't know exactly what the magic is, but trams seem to be more attractive to potential users than buses. I imagine most people given the choice between a train journey to London or a coach, would choose the train if the fares were similar. Perhaps it's just the tales I've heard from family members of riding on trams before the war.

I don't know exactly what the magic is, but trams seem to be more attractive to potential users than buses. I imagine most people given the choice between a train journey to London or a coach, would choose the train if the fares were similar. Perhaps it's just the tales I've heard from family members of riding on trams before the war.

I remember a source that claimed at it's height Bristol had one of the largest tram networks in the world. It does actually seem plausible.

Also, crikey it's been nearly a decade since the other tram proposals were scrapped. :eek:

I think the perception in that a tram is quicker or at least gives the impression of being quicker since one tends to stand up on it.

I caught trams a lot when I was on holiday in San Francisco, it was a great way to get around.

I'm all for this

Plus there's this:


0odXnKhKBxQ
http://www.xboxisozone.com/images/smileys/banana_smiley_16.gif http://www.landoverbaptist.net/images/smilies/pink.gif

http://crmsharepoint.andrewsonline.co.uk/public/photos/8e570786-6ceb-df11-a209-00155d01068b/Large/838b5fd0-6eba-4b74-8947-d8e8af1b387b.jpg

pic stolen from Deliriums excellent posts in the waterways city talk thread.

I've not seen this one before - & i'm quite liking it! Not earth shattering but appropriate & in context. It looks like it could have been there for a hundred years. Also - It seems that the quality of materials being used on some of our new builds has gone up (at least whenever Crest Nicholson aren't involved) which makes a hell of a difference.

In the tram v bus debate, I'm trams every time. As for this proposal, it seems like it might be taking the pragmatic approach so we can actually get something delivered before all the panic buttons are pressed. This might be the right approach, deliver the easy bit so all the anti changers get used to it then keep expanding from that point. Manageable chunks.

http://crmsharepoint.andrewsonline.co.uk/public/photos/8e570786-6ceb-df11-a209-00155d01068b/Large/838b5fd0-6eba-4b74-8947-d8e8af1b387b.jpg

pic stolen from Deliriums excellent posts in the waterways city talk thread.

I've not seen this one before - & i'm quite liking it! Not earth shattering but appropriate & in context. It looks like it could have been there for a hundred years. Also - It seems that the quality of materials being used on some of our new builds has gone up (at least whenever Crest Nicholson aren't involved) which makes a hell of a difference.

In the tram v bus debate, I'm trams every time. As for this proposal, it seems like it might be taking the pragmatic approach so we can actually get something delivered before all the panic buttons are pressed. This might be the right approach, deliver the easy bit so all the anti changers get used to it then keep expanding from that point. Manageable chunks.

They've resurrected what was there before, that's why it fits the location so well. When viewed from the other angle (inside the SSGB museum) it loks uncannily like the old building which stood here when Brunel constructed the old ship. I'll try and dig up a comparison.

With the tram situation, I agree. Berty made a good point earlier saying 'what's changed?', but I think the fear is that by going for something requiring a larger amount of money to begin with is that there is a danger it will be binned altogether, still in concept, come september - as we have seen happen in the past. A smaller initial outlay might be more appealing and therefore see it get off the ground, and once off the ground, it's much easier to see it through to fruition.
I think there has been an underlying groundswell of disapproval towards the bendybus - us Bristolians have been so downtrodden and bruised over the years regarding buses that we just accepted it as a step forward. Funny that the mere mention of a tram system and suddenly we're all doing cartwheels!

Hey! Look at this! The Local Councils fighting again! Well I'm shocked and amazed that they'd do that!

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Fight-looms-site-new-business-zone/article-3532414-detail/article.html

So, the Enterprise Zone, which was going to be in Bristol and was going to be either at Temple Meads or in Avonmouth now the other 3 local councils are campaigning to get it instead - either in Weston, Filton or Bath.

What's the betting that because of this infighting nothing will get decided until the Government turns around and say 'Sorry - you can't sort yourselves out, the offer is now gone' and we don't get anything at all.

It's times like this that makes you really hate the fact that they didn't extend Bristol's boundaries when they abolished Avon.

North Somerset, S. Glos and BANES councils =Parasites. (and I say that as someone who lives in one of these council areas.)

Usually I avoid looking at comments on the evening post but this sums it up nicely:

In other words, the councils around Bristol are quick enough to state their independence from Avon but as soon as there's something very appealing up for grabs namely for Bristol, they're part of Bristol again.

Hey! Look at this! The Local Councils fighting again! Well I'm shocked and amazed that they'd do that!

So, the Enterprise Zone, which was going to be in Bristol and was going to be either at Temple Meads or in Avonmouth now the other 3 local councils are campaigning to get it instead - either in Weston, Filton or Bath.


Well, it's typical, isn't it? On the other hand, I didn't know about this caveat:


"Under the new arrangements the local authority will be stripped of the power to object to most planning applications.

It is understood a local development order (LDO) will be introduced that will mean almost all planning applications will no longer need approval from councillors."


which makes me think that we might maybe not really want such a zone in the Temple Meads area after all...

Anywhere else apart from Bristol I'd say thats a problem - but with this council they seem to approve any old rubbish but then block the good stuff for stupid reasons.

I doubt we're going to get world-ranking buildings in these enterprise zones. The whole purpose of these zones is to get businesses moving into these areas are cheaply as possible so anything built is going to be functional - and probably just variations on a glass box. Still, that'll be preferable over the mess at Temple Meads at the moment anyway - it's hardly the greatest first impression of the city.

Saying all that though - I still support the idea of the enterprise zone being at Avonmouth and NOT Temple Meads. TM shouldn't need this - it's a prime piece of real estate right in the centre next to the new central business district for the city with (potentially) very good transport links. This area should have developers queuing up to build on it - they should be trying to outbid each other for the development!

It's just the current owners are being lazy and not marketing the site at all. I'd say the whole area needs a CPO - except that a big chunk of the land at TM is already owned by the public so that wont make any difference.

Stick the Enterprise zone in Avonmouth and then if the land owners at TM can get their act together the city benefits as it should have *two* distinctive development zones being progressed simultanously.

Just a few photos to upload.

Here's the latest harbourside building under construction.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/02052011116.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/02052011117.jpg

A quick drive past Finzels, which is starting to look externally complete in some places.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/02052011113.jpg

And a sunny harbourside

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/02052011114.jpg

The EP is reporting that now that the Libdems have lost overall control of Bristol, the Tories are demanding that if the Libdems want their help for council stuff, that they have to resolve the whole Ashton Vale issue within a month. The Tories want the decision on the Town Green application to be taken by the whole City Council and not done by the Parks and Ways Commitee.

Both the Tories and Labour support the stadium. If it did go to a full council vote and if all the Tories and Labour councillors voted to support the stadium with Libdems and Greens voting against it that would be a 50/50 split (35 votes each side).

That does also mean though that the Libdems can't go into a coallition with the Green party (by promising to reject the stadium) as that still wouldn't give them the majority on the council.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13344588

This would be quite a boon for the city, face stiff competition from Edinburgh though especially following SNP gains.

meh, the green bank can feck off if that is where they would plan to put it.

The EP is reporting that now that the Libdems have lost overall control of Bristol, the Tories are demanding that if the Libdems want their help for council stuff, that they have to resolve the whole Ashton Vale issue within a month. The Tories want the decision on the Town Green application to be taken by the whole City Council and not done by the Parks and Ways Commitee.

Both the Tories and Labour support the stadium. If it did go to a full council vote and if all the Tories and Labour councillors voted to support the stadium with Libdems and Greens voting against it that would be a 50/50 split (35 votes each side).

That does also mean though that the Libdems can't go into a coallition with the Green party (by promising to reject the stadium) as that still wouldn't give them the majority on the council.

I get the feeling that it won't end well, regardless :sleepy:

Also, ta for the pics Schmeek, :cheers: Finzels is actually coming along quite well.

meh, the green bank can feck off if that is where they would plan to put it.

Erm - that does seem a pretty stupid place really for this.

The old Bank of England offices are incredibly out of date. They'd need to be completely gutted and renovated to make that office fit for a major new business (which is why the previous plans for that site actually just went for the 'knock them down and rebuild' rather than renovate - it'll be cheaper). Also, the Green Investment Bank actually wont have a big store of cash lying in the basement which is what I think the BoE offices used to have which is why there's a fairly substantial security gate on it.

The GIB is going to just need a fairly bog-standard office block and there's plenty of locations for those. Temple Quay already has offices for DEFRA and it's right by the train station so I would've thought a location there would be more suitable if its going to be in the city centre - although a north Bristol office (Aztec West, Abbey Wood) might also be suitable.

heres a few pics (hopefully theyl work)

didn't work rooftops - instructions here
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=357882

heres a few pics (hopefully theyl work)

Schmeek where abouts is that harbourside construction and how near to completion

It's building 6 college square, top right of this pic, on Anchor rd between @Bristol and Hargreaves Lansdown. Thanks for posting the photos, would like to see them but you need to have them hosted by Flickr or similar.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/16_2-site-layout-and-landscape.jpg

Surely the green investment bank is to be welcomed though after a suitable site is sorted.

thanks jjmac il sort that now

and cheers for that schmeek, appreciated

I still support the idea of the enterprise zone being at Avonmouth and NOT Temple Meads. TM shouldn't need this - it's a prime piece of real estate right in the centre next to the new central business district for the city with (potentially) very good transport links. This area should have developers queuing up to build on it - they should be trying to outbid each other for the development!

It's just the current owners are being lazy and not marketing the site at all. I'd say the whole area needs a CPO - except that a big chunk of the land at TM is already owned by the public so that wont make any difference.

Stick the Enterprise zone in Avonmouth and then if the land owners at TM can get their act together the city benefits as it should have *two* distinctive development zones being progressed simultanously.

I understand what you are saying dronkula but I think you are seriously underestimating the impact of the recession on the property industry. If you even mention Commercial Property to a bank they will run a mile and have a shower to cleanse their mind and body of the idea.

Developers and property companies have had virtually all their gains and profits during the last decade wiped out during the last 3 years. It is very unlikely a developer will get funding for speculative developments in the centre unless they get a pre let of significant size. The only buildings we see going up such as at Finzels Reach are because the funding was already sorted before the recession struck or by securing a huge pre let like in 6 College Green in Sckmeeks good photos. By putting the Enterprise zone around temple meads more tenants may consider relocating their businesses there because of the tax cuts being offered. We can then get on with sorting out that derelict mess of crap which surrounds BTM and the gateway to our great city.

Yes the planning applications wont have to go to the councillors but they still have to get planning permission from the planners.

You may have a point about the site not being marketed very well but I think more thought needs to be given to the dire state of lending to commercial developers and the impact of that on any future developments anywhere in the UK.

Surely the green investment bank is to be welcomed though after a suitable site is sorted.

Well yeah, so long as it's not on the corner of Wine and High street. :shifty:

Also, mentioned Finzels reach before and I hope I'm not speaking too soon but I'm actually really liking the the dark brown 'brick' facade on the eastern half of the site. I'm at least hopeful it'll date better than the Bevan Brittan offices on the other side of the river.

I've drawn up a proposal for the South of England/South-west threads here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1243069&page=5

Please could you all have a look and see whether you agree or not, and add your own ideas. I'd like to see this happen and we need to apply some more pressure!

Just a few photos to upload.

And a sunny harbourside

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa272/Berbaking/02052011114.jpg

When did you takes this one?

Couple of weeks ago. Sunday 1st May I think...

ah i see, i'm working where you took it from second week there this week

ah i see, i'm working where you took it from second week there this week

Is it finished yet? :)

wonders never cease.....

Whilst it may not be a flash corporate development I think this sounds really cool!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13455803

Work planned for derelict Bristol Royal Mail building


Building work to transform a derelict former Royal Mail sorting office in Bristol could begin in the autumn, the BBC has learned.

The block near Temple Meads railway station, on Cattle Market Road, has been empty for the past 14 years.

Developers Kian Gwan Land gained planning consent for the work in 2005 but are reapplying as that permission lapsed several years ago.

The first tenants are due to move in six months after work starts.

The first company to confirm it is moving to the site is music firm Vinyl Factory.

The owners are planning to use the ground floor of the building with recording studios, offices and exhibition space.

Mark Wadhwa, from Vinyl Factory, said discussions over the move had been "going on for a long time".

He said: "Quite a lot of work has been going on to strip it out and there's been a lot of environmental work going on in terms of tags [graffiti] which needed to be removed.

"The landlords are encouraging independent tenants to kickstart the development.

"They've committed to skin the building, landscape it and create a social enterprise centre."

Local councillor Brenda Hugill said she welcomed the news.

She said: "It really is a good story in and otherwise difficult time in the city."

Work planned for derelict Bristol Royal Mail building

Now that would be something! Just hope they're not planning to just do some re-cladding on the cheap, but will try to come up with a scheme that's worthy of the almost-landmark status of this building/site. In particular I'd like to see that ramp on the north side of the building right next to the floating harbour demolished, so that the entire waterfront is accessible to pedestrians and could be extended/linked towards Valentine's Bridge / the north end of Plot 6.

Does anyone have a link to, or the number of, their previous planning application by any chance?

"They've committed to skin the building"

That doesn't really sound like a full redevelopment to me.
The immediate environment for Temple Meads always saddens me. Bristol is a great city, but to walk out of such a fine building and be faced with the old RedStar building, the monstrous Holiday Inn opposite, the neglected and isolated Temple Gate island, Collett house on Cattle Market Road, and the mess between Cattle Market Road and the platforms (including the Royal Mail building), is just depressing.
They could level that whole area between Station Approach and Cattle Market road and build an open public space around the lovely Bristol & Exeter Railway building, with pedestrian access directly from the station. A few shops and cafes would make it a lovely place to arrive to and wait with just the nice architecture around you.

It kinda sounds like they've agreed to get the site into some sort of safe state and then they're going to let the tennents decide what they want to do with their bit.

That could either make it a very original building with lots of different styles, or a complete mess.

Now that would be something! Just hope they're not planning to just do some re-cladding on the cheap, but will try to come up with a scheme that's worthy of the almost-landmark status of this building/site. In particular I'd like to see that ramp on the north side of the building right next to the floating harbour demolished, so that the entire waterfront is accessible to pedestrians and could be extended/linked towards Valentine's Bridge / the north end of Plot 6.

Does anyone have a link to, or the number of, their previous planning application by any chance?

I believe it's this one;

http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=IH5CAQDNXI000


The architects were Ferguson Mann

http://www.fm-architects.co.uk/projects#/mixed_use/depot/

Looks rather interesting if it's completed to the original design.

Is it finished yet? :)

Almost it will be open on the 17th June, loved working there and if you see the white round things on the floor i painted them

I've drawn up a proposal for the South of England/South-west threads here: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1243069&page=5

Please could you all have a look and see whether you agree or not, and add your own ideas. I'd like to see this happen and we need to apply some more pressure!

Perhaps we should do a group boycott of the site until action is taken or at least acknowledged as an issue?

Could not believe this. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13574631

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Work-restart-major-office-block/article-3604964-detail/article.html

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Work-restart-major-office-block/article-3604964-detail/article.html

Work about to restart on major office block

WORK on a prestigious office development in Bristol .. is on the verge of starting up once again. According to reports, insurance company Axa is in advanced talks to let out the new development close to Temple Meads train station. Two Glass Wharf – which overlooks the floating Harbour – has still not been built but work is likely to go ahead if Axa agrees to let the building. (...)


Great news, even if there are still a few "if"s to sort out. Haven't been able to find any designs for Two Glass Wharf though (despite the building work having been put out for tender already apparently) - does anyone have any renders?

geoffbradford: thanks for the links, looks quite decent.

Great news, even if there are still a few "if"s to sort out. Haven't been able to find any designs for Two Glass Wharf though (despite the building work having been put out for tender already apparently) - does anyone have any renders?

geoffbradford: thanks for the links, looks quite decent.

Its the building closest to the pedestrian bridge and next door to the recently occupied Burges Salmon Building (1 Glass Wharf). Nothing to write home about but better than a vacant site I suppose.

http://www.templequay.co.uk/images/topLeft.jpg

Bad News :(

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13574624


Bristol Concorde museum lottery bid fails

A bid for £2.9m towards building a museum to house the last Concorde to fly has failed.

But the Concorde Trust said it remained positive about the £9m project in Bristol despite being turned down by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Trust chairman Mike Littleton said: "Although the HLF decision is a setback, we remain determined to make this project a reality."

The Save Concorde Group (SCG) said the plans were too ambitious and costly.

Ben Lord, chairman of SCG, said they had a "more realistic" plan which was "a fraction of the cost" and would be presented to British Airways in the next few days.

Another new hotel for Bristol coming soon.
check out the links.

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Futuristic-hotel-chain-plans-open-branch-Bristol/story-12136342-detail/story.html

http://www.qbichotels.com/

Bristol just gets better and better.

Great news, even if there are still a few "if"s to sort out. Haven't been able to find any designs for Two Glass Wharf though (despite the building work having been put out for tender already apparently) - does anyone have any renders?

geoffbradford: thanks for the links, looks quite decent.

From Property Week website all very positive:

Insurance firm Axa takes 70,000 sq ft prelet at Salmon Harvester office scheme


Axa is in advanced talks to take a 70,000 sq ft prelet at Salmon Harvester Properties’ £40m office scheme, Two Glass Wharf in Bristol. The insurance group entered into negotiations to take the space after ruling out sites at Temple Back, Rivergate and Bank Place.

The deal will be the largest office prelet in the south-west since 2006, when law firm Burges Salmon took 170,000 sq ft at One Glass Wharf and financial adviser IFA Hargreaves Lansdown signed a 100,000 sq ft prelet at Crest Nicholson’s Harbourside, both also in Bristol.

The £160m Glass Wharf scheme stalled after Castlemore Securities’ collapse in March 2009. It was brought back to life in December 2010, when administrator PWC attracted several investors keen to build parts of the scheme.

As one of these investors, Salmon Harvester bought the Two Glass Wharf site for £5m, in the debut purchase for its £25m commercial land-banking fund. It is understood the fund intends to sell the 140,000 sq ft scheme, which is now worth £40m, to NFU Mutual’s Life Fund once the property is let.

One Glass Wharf has since been bought by Aerium. The European fund manager is believed to have bid slightly above the £82.3m asking price. Burges Salmon occupies four-fifths of the building.

Three Glass Wharf has been bought by private healthcare operator Circle. The site has outline planning consent for a 130,000 sq ft scheme, but Circle is seeking detailed permission for a private healthcare facility of 70,000-100,000 sq ft.

Occupiers in Bristol are increasingly more likely to take prelets at one of several development sites because existing prime stock is dwindling. Research from CoStar forecasts a 25% lift in prime office rents from £28.75/sq ft to £35.75/sq ft in the next five years.

Average office rents in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow are predicted to rise more than 15% in the period. The UK leasing market has continued to improve in pockets of the UK. Take-up activity in the second half of 2010 rose 75% in comparison with the first six months of the year.

Great news.

Oh and course, sadly, but not entirely unexpectedly:


Report says tram proposal is 'not as good as the bendybus scheme'

PLANS for a new tram system in Bristol have come off the rails.

A report by council experts and consultants says it would not be as good as the bendybus scheme, which is already on the table.

Members of the consortium who are promoting the tram met with cabinet councillor Tim Kent and council officials yesterday.

(more...) (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Report-says-tram-proposal-good-bendybus-scheme/story-12136366-detail/story.html)

Oh and course, sadly, but not entirely unexpectedly:

The right decision. Trams are expensive and are not as flexible as the BRT (plus, a mile long tram route is better than the Bradley Stoke/Emerson's-Hengrove BRT?? I don't think so!)

My only hope is that they make the BRT trolley-bus based. No diesel fumes and better running costs! (plus, just string up some wires - no need to dig up roads!)

Perhaps we should do a group boycott of the site until action is taken or at least acknowledged as an issue?

But would it actually work? How long would we hang it out? I think the fact that they (the powers that be) won't address an issue which means we are left in the cesspit of the UK section, or even engage with the people it is affecting, highlights very clearly our value/interest to them: Nil.
I very much doubt they'd even bat an eyelid if we boycotted. And nor would many others.... which is due to the very problem we are trying to overcome!

I think to continue to approach (or pester, might be a better word) the mods is the better way forward. They might tire eventually.

Hey all,

I decided to try out my new camera on the way home today so here are some updates from Finzels and the new travelodge also some random photos:

Finzels:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5791418650_2a20cd9dd0_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/5791416302_76de1f8090_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/5790854965_58a8eb28e8_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/5790848801_922260bae8_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3590/5790846737_0954b8f16a_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2559/5790844745_e7fedb977f_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3338/5790842823_69a7849b5e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5791399382_8499a234f8_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2763/5790832543_9c093f82c1_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/5791397030_0d83592ff6_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/5791389236_73cbff9848_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/5790828301_ba611ac89b_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5790816417_a386c31ae1_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2210/5791376528_17faae81d1_b.jpg

Travelodge:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2221/5791365460_c4bfe8c016_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/5791367074_096d341f8b_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/5791369112_6d4afefcb5_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2627/5791371052_3c59e79625_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5791373224_fa390262ae_b.jpg

Randoms:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/5791385186_c3a4c22dba_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5790824141_2b92ed3ddf_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/5791380982_ab883b24a8_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5790819983_fb9eb64e44_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2099/5790804699_998eaab83b_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3585/5791361366_24ac5129a7_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2013/5790800623_e8e8281be1_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/5790796509_49ed9ebf6a_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/5790794563_79350db40a_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5791348908_94cbdf0d52_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2656/5790784251_49b74a0c44_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/5791337598_6f1d5f48f7_b.jpg

Great pictures ArrHo - Finzel's is coming along nicely, I hope the Travelodge isn't too dull when it emerges from its scaffolding.

really good photos!! nice one! Is anyone else enjoying the dark blue looking building - very smart apartments and will make castle park appear less shabby.

Megacities with andrew marr is worth a watch if anyone wants to have a good gorp at some stunning skyscrapers. Apparently there are now 7,000 billionaires in Shanghai and 10,000 buildings over 8 stories high!! can that really be true?

But would it actually work? How long would we hang it out? I think the fact that they (the powers that be) won't address an issue which means we are left in the cesspit of the UK section, or even engage with the people it is affecting, highlights very clearly our value/interest to them: Nil.
I very much doubt they'd even bat an eyelid if we boycotted. And nor would many others.... which is due to the very problem we are trying to overcome!

I think to continue to approach (or pester, might be a better word) the mods is the better way forward. They might tire eventually.

I know what you are saying Schmeek...Who do I need to email and how?

Was in Bristol myself last weekend, was surprised to see Finzels so far gone, presumably this is just a first phase? Any indication of when it will all be complete? Nice pics btw.

Thanks for the pictures, ArrHo. I think Finzel looks quite smart already. Looking forward to the new Moebius bridge, hope they'll put that in this summer.

Thanks for the pictures, ArrHo. I think Finzel looks quite smart already. Looking forward to the new Moebius bridge, hope they'll put that in this summer.

The bridge should look most impressive, but I think that's scheduled to be the last phase so it could be a few years yet.

it will be handy and will look amazing when lit up

Arrho's pictures are very disappointing to me. They show that Bristol, with all its magnificent potential, is treated like a second rate city. The only signature project, "The Exploding Greenhouse," was stolen from Bristol when New Labour took power. Bristol must be the only city of its size to have not gained from public investment or lottery investment in terms of having a signature building. Every other major city I can think of has been benefited with some eye-catching designs.

While the new developments aren't exactly ugly, there is nothing at all striking about any of them.

Very sad.

Arrho's pictures are very disappointing to me. They show that Bristol, with all its magnificent potential, is treated like a second rate city. The only signature project, "The Exploding Greenhouse," was stolen from Bristol when New Labour took power. Bristol must be the only city of its size to have not gained from public investment or lottery investment in terms of having a signature building. Every other major city I can think of has been benefited with some eye-catching designs.

While the new developments aren't exactly ugly, there is nothing at all striking about any of them.

Very sad.
I remember the Exploding Greenhouse but the Arts council pulled out the funding they promised to fund the covent garden opera house!
So we still didnt get a decent concert hall and that really would have put Bristol on the map!

Arrho's pictures are very disappointing to me. They show that Bristol, with all its magnificent potential, is treated like a second rate city. The only signature project, "The Exploding Greenhouse," was stolen from Bristol when New Labour took power. Bristol must be the only city of its size to have not gained from public investment or lottery investment in terms of having a signature building. Every other major city I can think of has been benefited with some eye-catching designs.

While the new developments aren't exactly ugly, there is nothing at all striking about any of them.

Very sad.

The "exploding greenhouse" would have been very striking. Unfortunately we'll never know if it would have had an effect like the Guggenheim in Bilbao. We did get millenium lottery funding for the @Bristol complex which must be the most successful set of new spaces in Bristol, so we didn't miss out entirely, but the loss of the Behnisch design still rankles.

Arrho's pictures are very disappointing to me. They show that Bristol, with all its magnificent potential, is treated like a second rate city. The only signature project (..) was stolen from Bristol (..). Bristol must be the only city of its size to have not gained from public investment or lottery investment in terms of having a signature building. Every other major city I can think of has been benefited with some eye-catching designs.

While the new developments aren't exactly ugly, there is nothing at all striking about any of them.

Very sad.

Well, Bristol is still a second-rate city (like all UK cities other than London), and it's treated like a third-rate one. It's certainly true that there isn't much "striking" architecture around (though the new Colston Hall foyer might count), but I don't think that's what Bristol really needs right now; when I think about it I'd even say that none of the cities I love I love because of any of their landmarks (quite the opposite in fact).

What Bristol needs, in my humble opinion, is to fix its unique urban fabric: consolidate the city centre area stretching from the Temple Quarter all the way up to Clifton. Build up empty and underused sites and get rid of low-density 50s crap (e.g. Redcliffe Fire Station), and the remnants of misguided street planning like Redcliffe Way. Increase density with good but average architecture, create permeability, small squares and other public spaces, and the like. Build more bridges over the floating harbor, create more walkways along the water. A lot of this is being done, and developments like Finzel do it well. This is not to say that it wouldn't be nice if Bristol saw some more investment from public coffers, but I don't see it happening. And I'll trade a pleasant and vibrant streetscape for "landmark architecture" any day.

Aside from Cabot circus and the new Colston foyer, Bristol might not have an ultra modern signature project but i feel that i really dosent need one it makes up for that with hitsory and character the newdevelopments like cabot, the area where the casino and @ Bristol are, are fantastic and make the city have modern spaces that really are nice i still think it needs more work in the Nelson/Rupert street area and some clean ups here and there but i love Bristol because it isn't like most cities.

The odd 300m supertall wouldn't go amiss though! ;)

Hey Guys iv just been on the Behnisch website and they have a page on the harbourside centre with video well worth a look.

http://www.behnisch.com/#

Firstly, thanks Arrho. Great pictures and most appreciated. I think Finzels is actually an asset to Bristol. Yes, it is the same fairly bland, generic looking architecture, which is now seen all over the UK, but it is of decent quality.

I know what you are saying Schmeek...Who do I need to email and how?

I'm not entirely sure... might be an idea to PM one of the more sympathetic mods, or perhaps Gothic himself. Failing that, if you want to email someone, there is Jan the administrator, but I wouldn't bother as I'm not sure he/she has any authority relevant to this and personally I have found interactions with Jan to be somewhat protracted and frustrating!

Hey Guys iv just been on the Behnisch website and they have a page on the harbourside centre with video well worth a look.

http://www.behnisch.com/#

What a great find. It's not often I use this expression but...OMG! What happened to this? It would have fitted in there perfectly, and given the harbourside a proper focal point, which would have at least gone some way to excuse the current collection of hodge-podge 'nothing' buildings.

Hey Guys iv just been on the Behnisch website and they have a page on the harbourside centre with video well worth a look.

http://www.behnisch.com/#

Any guide as to where? It's not the most navigable website I've come across!

Hey Guys iv just been on the Behnisch website and they have a page on the harbourside centre with video well worth a look.

http://www.behnisch.com/#

Is his a real? Would be wicked if it was even though covers a little of the Lloyds Building but I could oversee that..!

Any guide as to where? It's not the most navigable website I've come across!

its under projects, unrealised its the final one on that page hope this helps

Well, Bristol is still a second-rate city (like all UK cities other than London), and it's treated like a third-rate one. It's certainly true that there isn't much "striking" architecture around (though the new Colston Hall foyer might count), but I don't think that's what Bristol really needs right now; when I think about it I'd even say that none of the cities I love I love because of any of their landmarks (quite the opposite in fact).

What Bristol needs, in my humble opinion, is to fix its unique urban fabric: consolidate the city centre area stretching from the Temple Quarter all the way up to Clifton. Build up empty and underused sites and get rid of low-density 50s crap (e.g. Redcliffe Fire Station), and the remnants of misguided street planning like Redcliffe Way. Increase density with good but average architecture, create permeability, small squares and other public spaces, and the like. Build more bridges over the floating harbor, create more walkways along the water. A lot of this is being done, and developments like Finzel do it well. This is not to say that it wouldn't be nice if Bristol saw some more investment from public coffers, but I don't see it happening. And I'll trade a pleasant and vibrant streetscape for "landmark architecture" any day.

Well said TPM - Right behind you on all those points.

I'm not saying Bristol would say no to a stunning building we could all be proud of much like the one in the previous link provided by Bristolboy. It's true that Bristol is overlooked when it comes to public funding; probably because of the low unemployment and relatively high education levels and living standards compared to other comparable cities. Why invest public money in a city where you might actually get a return on your investment from tax revenues!?

its under projects, unrealised its the final one on that page hope this helps

Ta!

Is his a real? Would be wicked if it was even though covers a little of the Lloyds Building but I could oversee that..!
It was a very real project and was about to get lottery money, but the lottery people decided to stop funding large single trophy projects and spread the money wider and thinner instead. IIRC, there was a load of council/planning wangling going on that delayed the funding application >_<

From BBC website:

Land near Temple Meads named as Bristol enterprise zone

An area alongside Bristol Temple Meads railway station has been named as a local enterprise zone.

Plans to establish 21 Local Enterprise Zones in England were announced in the last Budget.

The new zone in Bristol, covering 70 hectares, will offer reduced business rates and simplified planning rules.

The government said the zones would also be given direct support through a regional growth fund, especially in areas with "particular challenges".

Colin Skellett, the chairman of the West of England Partnership, said the zone would be an advantage to Bristol businesses.

"We set ourselves the task of removing the barriers to the creation of new jobs and the government gave us the opportunity to do that, in part, by creating an enterprise zone.

"It brings a number of advantages to businesses by reducing both the amount of planning red tape and the cost of their rates.

"But it also generates benefits for the area as a whole since we are able to retain the business rates that are generated which can be used to improve the other five areas we have identified."

Does anyone know what bit of land we are talking about exactly? Is it the plot where the arena was going to go? (Surely thats only about 4 ha?)

Does anyone know what bit of land we are talking about exactly? Is it the plot where the arena was going to go? (Surely thats only about 4 ha?)

The only map I've seen so far is the one in the article (http://www.jackbristol.com/news/bristols-news/temple-quarter-enterprise-zone-in-bristol-6199/) on the JackFM website. Well-crafted :)

The only map I've seen so far is the one in the article (http://www.jackbristol.com/news/bristols-news/temple-quarter-enterprise-zone-in-bristol-6199/) on the JackFM website. Well-crafted :)

OK, I re-drew it so it's a little clearer (cyan line):

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rWXU4mEwYqs/Te5YcY1w35I/AAAAAAAAAXo/G7h2yu604WU/s800/tmez.JPG

So, it includes some of the existing Temple Quarter. Hopefully, this will encourage redevelopment of the Temple Meads gateway by some business. By that, I mean, redeveloping the old Red Star site, the Royal Mail depot, and the terrible area directly in front of the Temple Meads entrance (including that god-awful hotel!)
Might be difficult tempting businesses into the bit of St. Philips north of the feeder though!

Fantastic news.

Might be difficult tempting businesses into the bit of St. Philips north of the feeder though!

I dunno, I'd like to think that in a city as expensive and Bureaucratic as ours, simplified planning rules and cheaper business rates would be more than enough to tempt businesses... I hope!

Plus the Northern side of the canal has this beauty:

http://www.urbexforums.co.uk/showthread.php/5376-St-Vincent%E2%80%99s-Works-Bristol-Sept-09

http://www.rpca.co.uk/images/StVincent-enlarged-1.gif

http://www.whateversleft.co.uk/wp-content/gallery/stvinc/23.jpg

A scheme similar to the paintworks development (or in my dreams, the Hackesche Hofe in Berlin) would do wonders.

Though I'd guess it'd would be crucial for them to 'sort out' the ex Royal mail depot first and foremost, in order for the areas east of the railway station to be seriously considered as somewhere for businesses to locate to...

Actually, talking of the old Royal Mail depot...

Going past is quickly yesterday it seemed that they'd painted over a lot of the grafitti on it. Maybe they've started work on this new media hub they're trying to do with the site now?

Surprised no-one else has mentioned these bits of news today.

Firstly - Town Planners have recommended that only the southern part of the Ashton Vale site is registered as a Town Green - leaving the northern portion of the site available for the BCFC stadium

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13699236

This is basically the compromise that has already been offered to the residents in the area who want to register the whole site as a Town Green and they rejected it. Next Thursday is the meeting with the Council Committee that'll either approve or reject the Town Green application or (more likely) pass the issue up to the full council meeting which will be held the following Thursday.

Secondly, Rovers have now also released their plans for a brand new stadium on green belt land to the north of the city. They'll also plan on selling the Memorial Ground to Sainsburys to finance the move. That plan sounds familar :)

It'll be some sort of partnership with UWE who own the land they want to build the stadium on. No-one's tried to register the site as a Town Green yet (but there's still plenty of time!)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13670654

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/53322000/jpg/_53322015_53322013.jpg

So, both Bristol football clubs moving out of the city's limits! :D
"North Somerset United" and "South Gloucestershire Rovers" maybe?

Loving the 'UWE stadium'.

So, both Bristol football clubs moving out of the city's limits! :D
"North Somerset United" and "South Gloucestershire Rovers" maybe?

LOL, I see what you mean but its all part of Greater Bristol area so all good...

If i'm not mistaken Manchester United FC is actually in Trafford Councils jurisdiction not Manchesters.

The investment potential is massive if all goes ahead with both stadiums and it will add more to Bristol as a whole. I still wish something could be done about a Indoor arena.

So, both Bristol football clubs moving out of the city's limits! :D
"North Somerset United" and "South Gloucestershire Rovers" maybe?

Actually City will be just inside the city boundary and Rovers just outside. Trouble maker! :D

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/53322000/jpg/_53322015_53322013.jpg[/QUOTE]

The land isn't green belt, it has outline permission for offices. Someone's been thinking ahead and apparently the land has been fenced off for two years thereby outflanking any attempts at a Town Green.

It seems likely, as with the City application, that the really tricky part will be disposing of the original site to Sainsbury. You're right Dronkula, it does sound all very familiar!

As for the new city ground...

Hopefully the council will see sense; if they're unable or unwilling to throw out the Town green ap' then approving something along the lines of this instead would make a rather attractive compromise all things considered; well, attractive to everyone apart from the lousy town green lot, the breakdown in talks following their lack of wanting to compromise on anything pretty much shows up what an agenda and shitty attitude they really had.


Split-site option could deliver Bristol City stadium and a town green

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Split-site-option-deliver-Bristol-City-stadium/story-12737649-detail/story.html

A COMPROMISE solution is expected to be put before a crunch meeting to decide whether the stadium site at Ashton Vale should be registered as a town green.

Members of the city council's Public Rights of Way committee are likely to be given the chance to decide in favour of a "split site option" – registering only those areas of land which are not needed to build the new stadium – when they meet next week.

In other words, the 19-acre former landfill tip would not be registered while the wetlands and a field to the south would be designated as a town green, effectively ruling out any development there.

The compromise is seen as a common sense solution to the dispute, which has dragged on for months and prevented Bristol City FC from going ahead with its ambitious plans to build a new 30,000-seat stadium.

But it is understood that the landowners, including former club chairman Steve Lansdown who is still the majority shareholder, put forward the same offer during mediation talks, which eventually broke down.

Other options which are expected to be put before the committee include:

â—� agreeing with the independent inspector's recommendation to register the entire 42-acre site,

â—� ignoring the recommendation and refusing to register any part of it,

â—� asking the full council to make a decision,

â—� asking the inspector to review the case.

The independent inspector was commissioned by the city council to hold an inquiry in May last year after residents submitted a town green application.

After she announced her recommendation, the club submitted additional evidence in order to prove that the site had not been used continuously for recreational purposes during the past 20 years. This led to the council's party leaders unanimously urging the two sides in the dispute to take part in mediation talks.

These talks were held in private and lasted three months until they eventually broke down.

The town green issue is the last remaining stumbling block before the club can go ahead with building the new £93 million stadium.

Planning permission has already been given by Bristol and North Somerset councils.

Sainsbury's have also been given consent to build a new superstore at Ashton Gate, which would help pay towards the costs of the stadium.

The Government has already decided that a public inquiry is not necessary over planning consent for the new superstore.

And sooo..

I'm actually surprised because I thought this committee was going to just pass the decision up to the full council meeting next week - but from this it looks like the committee decided that they could make the decision themselves and that they've agreed with the planners recommendation last week.

So, let the legal battle commence!


TOWN & VILLAGE GREEN DECISION
http://www.bcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10327~2377582,00.html
Posted on: Thu 16 Jun 2011

Bristol City Council's Public Rights of Way committee has voted to accept the recommendation to only grant part of the Ashton Vale site - earmarked for City's new stadium - as a Town & Village Green.

In total six committee members took an hour and a half to vote for the recommendation, with just two members voting against.

City chief executive Guy Price, attending the meeting, said the news was "encouraging".

"I think it was the right decision for the committee to make and it's an encouraging one," said Guy.

"It's our final major hurdle out of the way but we have other issues we have to look at, discuss and resolve internally.

"Once we've made any decision we'll announce that to our supporters."

Yes, I also thought they would refer it (even though it would have been a bit pointless anyway, since the full council deciding on the same issue based on the same recommendation wouldn't have made it any more or less legal).

Good news does this mean Bristol City can actually begin to make a start or do they now have to wait until the legal challenges have been settled do you think....?

They must be confident now that this is finally it!

BCFC are saying that they're going to start getting everything ready so that they can start quickly.

On the BBC news they seemed to imply (the BBC) that if the residents wanted to take it to a judical review they'll need to fund that themselves. The ones who turned up tonight at the Council house who were against the proposal all said they'd be seeking to do that, there were a lot more at the initial Town Green inquiry who didn't show tonight so they couldn't tell how many actually do want to carry on.

Anyone got anything on this guys?

Nuffield Health to unveil Chesterfield Hospital plan

Nuffield Health will be holding a two-day public exhibition to show plans for the £21m redevelopment project at Chesterfield Hospital.

The plans, which have been revised after feedback from residents and council officers, involve a £1.2m restoration of the Grade-II-listed Clifton villa and a further investment of more than £20m to replace the hospital extension with a new building.

The two-day exhibition will take place at the hospital between 3pm and 8pm on 24 June and between 10am and 2pm on 25 June. At the exhibition Bristol residents will be able to examine the scheme through video and view photographs.

Ashley Livesey, hospital director at Nuffield Health Bristol, said: "We are delighted to welcome all Bristol residents to the public exhibition at the Chesterfield site to see first hand how we plan to restore this historic building and create a state of the art healthcare facility. This is not just financial investment in the area but part of a long term commitment to the city, safeguarding existing jobs and creating new opportunities."

I wish Nuffield would sort out St. Mary's first. That place is a dive. I dread the thought of needing something done and ending in there....I think I'd go NHS!

Anyone else been to the new museum?

Anyone else been to the new museum?

Yes, way too much to see in one go -will need to go again when it's a bit less frenetic. What did you think?

Anyone else been to the new museum?

Yeah, I went on Saturday, but I was with a French colleague who wasn't quite as interested as I was, so I didn't get to stay for as long as I would have liked. Will have to go back. It's nicely done - a mixture of traditional exhibits and hands-on stuff and there's some great new artwork inside. Good views from the roof too ;)

Yes, way too much to see in one go -will need to go again when it's a bit less frenetic. What did you think?

I quite liked the solider relief from the dutch house and the charred timber from St peter's hospital, wasn't expecting that. Relief it's finally open most of all.

i worked there for two weeks and i still havent been lol, must get round to it soon

Forgot that museum had finally opened! Must get my ass in there when I come back to Brizzle.

Blimey, that UWE Stadium came out the blue, a bit! I had no idea UWE owned so much land to the south of their Exhibition and Conference Centre.

It'll be interesting to see how the stadium plans link in with their wider plans for the campus as they are planning on linking the former HP site and the rest of the Frenchay campus better (one render I saw showed some sort of footbridge between the two which doesn't seem necessary in the slightest).

Dunno if anyone else has seen it but Bristol's population is now estimated at 441,300; around 600,000+ in it's entirety when including the usual suspects like Downend, Kingswood, Filton etc.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15106

Looking at past estimates, the population within the Bristol local authority looks as thought it is more or less, as high as it has ever been; according to a source in David J Eveleigh's book ''Bristol, a photographic collection'' it reached a peak of 445,000 in 1955.

Thoughts?

Dunno if anyone else has seen it but Bristol's population is now estimated at 441,300; around 600,000+ in it's entirety when including the usual suspects like Downend, Kingswood, Filton etc.

http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15106

Looking at past estimates, the population within the Bristol local authority looks as thought it is more or less, as high as it has ever been; according to a source in David J Eveleigh's book ''Bristol, a photographic collection'' it reached a peak of 445,000 in 1955.

Thoughts?

Bit surprised to see that Bristol's population was 445k back in 1955. Is that a statistical artefact because of boundary changes or was it just because more people lived in a house/flat than nowadays?

The City Council (http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Council-Democracy/Statistics-Census-Information/the-population-of-bristol.en) page has some interesting info as well, esp. in the projections section (http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Council-Democracy/Statistics-Census-Information/population-estimates-and-projections-new-/population-projections-.en).

What's most striking is the rate of growth really. 8k new people per year, >25% population growth (>100k) by 2025. And that's all just for the City of Bristol, excluding the surrounding areas where all the big developments are going to happen (Filton airfield, Ashton Park, etc.). If the projections are right of course.

Bit surprised to see that Bristol's population was 445k back in 1955. Is that a statistical artefact because of boundary changes or was it just because more people lived in a house/flat than nowadays?

mmmm according the the paragraph I got it from it says:

''The total acreage of the city increased from 18,436 acres in 1920 to 27,068 acres by 1969. The population also increased, although not as dramatically as the period 1850-1919. In 1920 the population of Bristol was 376,975, reaching a peak of 445,000 in 1955. Thereafter it started to drop, as old housing in the inner city was cleared and because people moved beyond the city boundaries to new urban areas such as Nailsea and Yate. Mid-twentieth-century Bristol, therefore, while a third larger than its Victorian and Edwardian predecessor, was less densely populated.''

So I guess basically twas flight to the suburbs and a lack of boundary extensions.

ArchDaily has some wonderful photos of the recently completed museum. I'm looking forward to having a look myself when I go back down. :)

http://www.archdaily.com/147080/m-shed-bristol-museum-lab-architecture-studio/

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/1309463713-ee230311-01-1000x750.jpg

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/1309463745-ee230311-48-1000x750.jpg

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/1309463740-ee230311-35-1000x750.jpg

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/1309463727-ee230311-28-1000x750.jpg

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/1309463723-ee230311-26-750x1000.jpg

http://cdn.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/1309463717-ee230311-03-750x1000.jpg

All images © courtesy of LAB Architecture Studio

This sounds exciting. It sounds like plans are already significantly advanced on this so a planning application should be due in shortly, especially given the close completion date. From egi.

School's in as bell tolls for cathedral
Samantha McClary 01/07/2011 13:18

Student Castle has bought the dilapidated Pro-Cathedral and adjacent Upper School building in Clifton, Bristol, from Urban Creation for £9m.

The developer plans to turn the Grade II-listed property into a 233-bed student block. It will be the UK's first conversion of a cathedral to residential units.

Morgan 2 Hayman has been appointed to design the £15m project, which is scheduled to complete in September 2013.

Savills advised Student Castle; Knight Frank acted for Urban Creation.

And also from egi...

DevSec buys Bristol office block
James Kenny 21/06/2011 08:50
Development Securities has acquired the Colston Tower, a multi-let office building in Bristol, for £7.6m.

The price of the 15-storey office tower, which DevSec bought in partnership with Ellandi LLP, reflects an initial yield of 10.08%.

Under the terms of the partnership, DevSec will own 75% with Ellandi holding a 25% stake. DevSec bought the tower from HSBC Pension fund using equity.

The building is multilet to 33 tenants with an occupancy rate of 85%. It has a weighted average unexpired term of 4.1 years and provides significant scope to add value through intensive asset management and rolling refurbishment of vacant areas.

Matthew Weiner, executive director of Development Securities, said: "This latest acquisition continues our deployment of capital since July 2009 when Development Securities completed the first of its two recent £100m equity raises. Colston Tower provides a high-income return and significant scope to improve the property through intensive asset management."

Good news about the pro-cathedral. I always thing it's such a shame that a magnificent Italianate building exists in the centre of Bristol, yet it has been so neglected for years, not least by some bright spark blocking most views of it from the city by building the monstrous West End multi-storey car park right in front of it!
Why do all philistines naturally gravitate towards roles in council planning?

Good news about the pro-cathedral. I always thing it's such a shame that a magnificent Italianate building exists in the centre of Bristol, yet it has been so neglected for years, not least by some bright spark blocking most views of it from the city by building the monstrous West End multi-storey car park right in front of it!
Why do all philistines naturally gravitate towards roles in council planning?

To be fair it was an architect who designed the building for that site... the planners were probably required to consent the scheme according to whatever national planning policy was in place in 1970-whatever it was.

The hotel scheme for the cleared lewins mead site is back on the cards...was previously an application made by Tulip Inns, but looks like its going to be a Premiere Inn. Bit weird since there's one just up the road in the Avon House Tower!? link to news story below:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/hotel-planned-centre-city/story-12867408-detail/story.html

Pic of the scheme:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w164/gee31/TulipInnLewinsMead.jpg

Where is all this sudden demand for hotel rooms in central Bristol coming from?
We've got the new Ramada in the old Bristol & West tower, the new Holiday in next to 51'02, the new Travelodge being planned, and this!
That's in addition to the two huge Marriotts, the Thistle, the existing massive Premier Inn around the corner and the other big Ramada on Redcliffe way!

^^It's happening all over the country. There's over 20 hotels under construction/ approved/ proposed for Birmingham city centre alone, for example. :nuts:

I don't think the demand has suddenly increased Berty. It's been there a long while now, but we just didn't have nearly enough rooms, and so probably missed out on a lot of business/tourism.
I think it's important that we have a competitive hotel network. It can only be a good thing imo.

Also whenever Cardiff has a big match or event on at the stadium a lot of people stay in bristol and travel over as cardiff just cant cope with the sheer demand.
But it is a good thing that all these hotels are being built As it boosts our economy and creates well needed jobs.

Little update from Lakeshore in South Bristol.

It should've been completed in 'the spring'. It now looks like it's the autumn.

However, there's an open day on Aug 11th - so that's probably when they're start actually selling the flats.

usually comments and letters on the evening post are full of crazies butthis comment does raise some valid points regarding the Airfield:



http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/live-regret-getting-rid-Filton-s-airfield/story-12884657-detail/story.html
I T is good that my letter ( E P Wednesday June 8) has further encouraged Councillor Daniels in his attempts to keep Filton Airfield afloat as expressed in his letter published on Saturday June 25.

He, along with many others, clearly identifies it as being one of the region's truly most unique and vital infrastructure assets, and thereby a centre of continued and potentially expanding employment and regional wealth creation.

Through the anomalies of the boundary commissioners the future of the site lies not only with its owners, but the preferences, not of the citizens and politicians of Bristol, but of those whose activities are centred on the market town of Thornbury, which is the headquarters of South Gloucestershire Council within whose boundaries Filton lies. Having read the Evening Post article on Friday June 24, "Airfield site could be worth £120 million to developers", I would suggest £120 million would be a giveaway. Correctly used, the airfield is potentially worth billions to the region.

To the politicians of South Gloucestershire I pose this question; "If you grant planning permission to build on the airfield site, for whom or what businesses do you expect the people who will live in those houses to work? What types of businesses will you expect to occupy the offices and factories built on the site? Any answer should take into account the very strong possibility that sometime after runway closure many of the businesses engaged in the aviation industry currently centred around the airfield will, despite what they may be saying now, simply drift away. Just as businesses which involve the sea tend to have close access to the sea, businesses which involve aviation need the "feel good factor" of having ready access to the air. Take away the runway and that access will forever be denied. Forgive the pun but they will be like fish out of water.

We will be fooling ourselves if we think those aviation businesses centred around Filton will stay when that ability to get airborne is permanently denied them. It may take a few years while they organise their relocation and evaluate the offers which will doubtless be made to them, but eventually there will be a gradual exodus and when that happens North and North West Bristol and South Gloucestershire will suffer economic damage of disastrous proportions. The longer we live, the truer the pearl of wisdom becomes: " That we never really appreciate what we had until after we have lost it". Do not take that risk. Retain the runway and work with the owners, either current or future to develop and grow the airport business by using this magnificent asset properly.



On another note has anyone else noticed the decline in quality on the EP site? Not that it was brilliant before but they can't seemed to be arsed to even spell check.

On another note has anyone else noticed the decline in quality on the EP site? Not that it was brilliant before but they can't seemed to be arsed to even spell check.

What I noticed most is that it's really hard to browse 'the latest' stories. Since they changed to the new layout, new and old stories seem to be mixed, and when old stories get new comments, they bubble to the top again. And there also seem to be random comment posts of some sort between the stories. Very annoying if you just want to have a look at all stories from yesterday/today.

I also hear that Qbic, Starwood Hotels Group (who own brands such as Sheraton, Le Meridian and W Hotels), Hilton and Global Hyatt Group are all looking at sites in Bristol. I do think that its getting a little silly as there is such things as too many hotels. Suppose its good though in some ways.

Glad other people are similarly irritated by the new thisisbristol website. I must admit I frequent it much less since it is changed as it is just an incoherent mess. Really hard to find the days' news and it's just not easy to navigate in general.

I can't say I have any real knowledgeable insight into the hotel situation, but I quess hotel operators wouldn't be throwing their money at it if the demand wasn't there..

To be honest, I never frequented it in the first place. The "thisis" websites have always been an incoherent mess.

For example, has this story even been within 12 feet of a proof-reader?
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Tyntesfield-Covered-Lies-Speculation/story-12892059-detail/story.html

Lol I know what you mean!
It was usually a quick, easy and free way to check the top stories of the day, and to keep an eye on developments, but now it's just a pain in the arse.

+1 those three posts.




Subliving.

EGI are reporting that AXA has pulled out of a 70,000 sq ft prelet at Two Glass Wharf. The deal would have been the largest prelet in the South West since 2006, when law firm Burges Salmon took 170,000 sq ft at One Bank Place.


Also, I keep thinking the banner shows the Clifton Suspension Bridge - it's massively frustrating!

Also, I keep thinking the banner shows the Clifton Suspension Bridge - it's massively frustrating!

Me to... It really does looks like it!!!

Future of Filton airfield site to be discussed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-14064416

A public meeting is due to take place later to discuss the future of Filton airfield near Bristol.

In April BAE Systems which owns the site said it would close it at the end of 2012 following a review of its commercial and economic viability.

Up to 5,000 homes could be built on the site but Labour councillors from Filton Town Council want the land to be used for the aviation industry.

The meeting is to be held at the Filton Sports and Leisure centre at 1900 BST.

Plans to keep the Concorde museum on the airfield site rather than move it to the nearby Cribbs Causeway, are also to be discussed.

Labour councillor Darryl Collins from Filton Town Council, which has called the meeting, said it needed to maximise the manufacturing potential of the site.

He added: "This will mean the whole South West can benefit from real jobs which will be very important in going forward."

Concorde 216 was the last of the fleet to fly when Concorde was withdrawn from service by British Airways in 2003 due to spiralling running costs.

Officials from BAE Systems, Airbus, South Gloucestershire Council and Filton Town Council are expected to attend the meeting.

In a statement BAE Systems said the site was not currently for sale and said the company had significant experience in the regeneration of brownfield sites.

"This is likely to include residential and commercial development, investment in infrastructure and community facilities.

"We have commenced dialogue with South Gloucestershire Council with regards a joint approach to bringing the site back into use and recently met with Filton Town Council to discuss the future of the site," it said.

Meanwhile, the wing manufacturer Airbus says it is committed to staying in Filton despite the airfield closing down.

The A400M aircraft wings made there are currently flown directly to Spain when finished but from next year Airbus will start shipping the wings abroad from Royal Portbury Dock.

The firm said this was currently what happens with the wings made at its plant in north Wales.

Bristol Airport, at Lulsgate, North Somerset, is not affected by the closure decision.

The announcement comes as the council reviews its core strategy for development in the county over the next 15 to 20 years.

I have to say, I really don't hold out much hope for Filton airfield. There have been rumours for a few years that BAe have been looking to dispose of it for development, and that they've been running down commercial opportunities for aviation-related companies in order to dispel any argument that it is viable as a commercial aerodrome.
To be fair to them, it probably does have much more value as housing land than renting it out to businesses. However, if you replace Airbus/GKN, etc. with houses, who in Filton is going to be able to afford them without any jobs?

Hi all,
With regards to the ThisisBristol website, contacted their support the other day about it, as was doing my head in scrolling past stories from other weeks, and was told the way around it is to click on the story headline "Bristol Evening Post" (the bit where it says who the story is by) and it takes you to a page where the latest stories they have posted. not the best work around, but one none the less.

Many thanks Aasim. Makes things a little easier, though why on earth would they make things so difficult is beyond me. No one would think to click on the 'Evening Post' link.

Amazingly the BEP have taken views on board, and given us a drop down box on the news page to select the latest stories rather then the most recently active!
One thing I do like about their site is that they let readers write stories too, great for things which happen on a Sunday!

Couple of recent stories:


Bristol General Hospital sold to developer

A FIRM specialising in converting listed and historic buildings into exclusive flats has agreed to buy Bristol General Hospital in a deal worth more than £6 million.
...
The hospital site covers just under three acres of land and overlooks the quayside. The development is seen a key part of the city council's plans to regenerate the Redcliffe area.
...
The main hospital building, along with the former lodge and the main hospital gates on Guinea Street are all Grade II listed. A collection of smaller Victorian buildings on the site are also listed meaning little or no work apart from restoration can be done to the exterior of buildings.
...
Bristol General Hospital's one of the largest redevelopment sites in the city and we see it as a potential catalyst to stimulate the wider regeneration of western Redcliffe."
...
The developer will have to apply for planning permission and building work is not expected until 2014.
...
(full story) (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Old-hospital-sold-pound-6m/story-12935100-detail/story.html)


This is quite an interesting site, looking forward to seeing what they come up with.


Nelson Street street art plan

AN AMBITIOUS plan to transform a drab street into a major tourist attraction could help put Bristol on the international map, it has been claimed.
...
[T]he See No Evil art project will turn Nelson Street in the city centre into Europe's largest outdoor art exhibition.
...
More than 20 of the world's biggest street artists will paint more than half a dozen of the rundown street's largest buildings, some 11 stories high.
...
These include St Lawrence House above Cafe Central and the juvenile court building
...
(full story) (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Street-art-plan-help-Bristol-international-map/story-12934923-detail/story.html)


Sounds like a great idea to me, kudos to everyone involved. No doubt Nelson Street needs more than a few lorries of paint, but in the meantime, this should be pretty good.


£5 billion boost for Bristol to London railway line

THE rail line between Bristol and London is set to become the most advanced and efficient in the country thanks to £5 billion worth of investment, it was announced today.

Network Rail, the company set up to manage the country’s rail network, is set to unveil a package of improvements at an event held in London later today.

There are ... long-term plans in place to refurbish and improve the ageing Temple Meads station as part of the massive overhaul of Brunel’s historic Great Western Mainline.
...
Network Rail added that moves to improve the rail network around Bristol are also being closely looked at and are likely to take place once the main electrification programme has been completed at the end of 2016.
...
The improvements include the £1 billion electrification of the route and the introduction of a brand new fleet of trains designed especially to operate on the service.

Along with the electrification, improvements are being carried out to the track at Reading and Filton which means more trains will be able to use the route.

And a new computerised signalling system is being introduced which will connect drivers direct to the main control system, making the service more efficient and safer to use.
...
(full story) (http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/5-billion-boost-Bristol-London-railway-line/story-12939390-detail/story.html)


Most of this has been known for some time already I think, but it's nice to see it go ahead for sure anyway. I'm particularly looking forward to the refurbishment of Temple Meads station, it's really long overdue.

Excellent railways news :)

If it's computerised signalling the trains should be able to go quicker than 125 mph. 125mph is the limit in the UK due to fixed signalling. If that goes then higher speeds should be possible, especially with brand new electric trains. Doubt we'd get proper high speed trains that do 186mph like eurostar but 150mph trains would save quite a few minutes.

Not sure how much difference the max. speed really makes on the GWML - the stops are so close that the overall difference is probably not that great. My understanding is that there's a lot of slack in the timetable at the moment, and that the area around Reading is the main bottleneck. In any case, if they're going to run 4 trains per hour from Temple Meads to Paddington, it's well possible that some of the trains skip some of the stops, which would have quite an impact on overall journey time already (no slowing down, stopping, accelerating again). I'm sure someone with more clue will set me straight if I'm talking nonsense :)

I hope First are going to revisit the idea of a second entrace at the north of Temple Meads as part of the station revamp (rejected in the past due to additional staffing costs). By then that area will hopefully have seen some more development, given the whole Enterprise Zone thing.

I have to say, I really don't hold out much hope for Filton airfield. There have been rumours for a few years that BAe have been looking to dispose of it for development, and that they've been running down commercial opportunities for aviation-related companies in order to dispel any argument that it is viable as a commercial aerodrome.
To be fair to them, it probably does have much more value as housing land than renting it out to businesses. However, if you replace Airbus/GKN, etc. with houses, who in Filton is going to be able to afford them without any jobs?

Sadly, I don't either, simply because it is so huge. I learned to fly there, and was embarrassed when I missed the approach once, even on a runway 2.7km long by 91m wide. On a clear day, you can see it from way up the Wye valley. I don't think people realise what a huge patch of green open space it is. It would be nice to think of it staying an airfield, even a much smaller one. With the rail and road links, it could be a multi-modal hub for transport, but Bristol doesn't have the attitude for projects like that.

Sadly, I don't either, simply because it is so huge. I learned to fly there, and was embarrassed when I missed the approach once, even on a runway 2.7km long by 91m wide. On a clear day, you can see it from way up the Wye valley. I don't think people realise what a huge patch of green open space it is. It would be nice to think of it staying an airfield, even a much smaller one. With the rail and road links, it could be a multi-modal hub for transport, but Bristol doesn't have the attitude for projects like that.

In a PA-28?

C'mon Berty you must have missed it once...
I'm also ashamed to say I did the same in an early lesson although my excuse was that I was flustered by the gert 747 queued up behind me and as a result didn't do my checks properly on final. Still, there was plenty of room to get her down but the tower was trying to get the copper chopper in as well so I just went around.

Great runway though, and will be sorely missed. It worries me what will become of the area when it is gone.

With the trains, however, it's fantastic news.

In a PA-28?

Yep, in a PA-28. As we got near, the instructor asked "Have we done go-rounds yet?"

C'mon Berty you must have missed it once...
I'm also ashamed to say I did the same in an early lesson although my excuse was that I was flustered by the gert 747 queued up behind me and as a result didn't do my checks properly on final. Still, there was plenty of room to get her down but the tower was trying to get the copper chopper in as well so I just went around.

Great runway though, and will be sorely missed. It worries me what will become of the area when it is gone.

With the trains, however, it's fantastic news.

I once watched a MK 747 land on 27 as I was flying the left hand downwind leg. What a sight, I wish I had had my camera.

Great news on the railway. But from Portishead, you will have to arrive at the super electrified 21st train station on a bus. It will take longer than the trip to London. Stupid.

BCFC are saying that they're going to start getting everything ready so that they can start quickly.

On the BBC news they seemed to imply (the BBC) that if the residents wanted to take it to a judical review they'll need to fund that themselves. The ones who turned up tonight at the Council house who were against the proposal all said they'd be seeking to do that, there were a lot more at the initial Town Green inquiry who didn't show tonight so they couldn't tell how many actually do want to carry on.

Wouldn't be a bad idea for City to fence their part off, and get a couple of JCBs looking busy. It would drive home the message that someone is seriously considering building a stadium, after so many false starts.

C'mon Berty you must have missed it once...
I'm also ashamed to say I did the same in an early lesson although my excuse was that I was flustered by the gert 747 queued up behind me and as a result didn't do my checks properly on final. Still, there was plenty of room to get her down but the tower was trying to get the copper chopper in as well so I just went around.

Great runway though, and will be sorely missed. It worries me what will become of the area when it is gone.

With the trains, however, it's fantastic news.

I'm afraid I only ever did one solo before I bought a house (and consequently ran out of cash to finish my PPL!), but I can proudly say, I never had to do a go around! :)

By the way, I know this is not going to change BAe's mind, but there is a Facebook campaign to Save Filton Airfield (http://www.facebook.com/groups/230405333660236). Feel free to join - there's lots of members there who get great insider news!

BTW, Schmeek was that an MK jumbo chasing you on final? Seems a shame that they were one of the businesses ousted by BAe by pushing up their rents and landing fees....

I once watched a MK 747 land on 27 as I was flying the left hand downwind leg. What a sight, I wish I had had my camera.

Great news on the railway. But from Portishead, you will have to arrive at the super electrified 21st train station on a bus. It will take longer than the trip to London. Stupid.

Fear not, the Portishead line is very much on the cards (http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Bid-43-million-reopen-North-Somerset-railway-line/story-12883733-detail/story.html) yet!

Fear not, the Portishead line is very much on the cards (http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Bid-43-million-reopen-North-Somerset-railway-line/story-12883733-detail/story.html) yet!

As with anything involving Bristol and its surrounds, I'll believe it when I ride on it. It makes so much sense, but it's not in London, it isn't a bus, and it can't be used by cyclists. The local politicos and press should go see what happened in Manchester when Alistair Darling said "No" to the Metrolink expansion, now well under way. It may give them ideas for how to ask the government for money. Fair play to North Somerset, though. It will be more than a bit embarrassing for Bristol if they get the money.

BTW, Schmeek was that an MK jumbo chasing you on final? Seems a shame that they were one of the businesses ousted by BAe by pushing up their rents and landing fees....

Not entirely sure that was the whole cause.

Not sure how much difference the max. speed really makes on the GWML - the stops are so close that the overall difference is probably not that great. My understanding is that there's a lot of slack in the timetable at the moment, and that the area around Reading is the main bottleneck. In any case, if they're going to run 4 trains per hour from Temple Meads to Paddington, it's well possible that some of the trains skip some of the stops, which would have quite an impact on overall journey time already (no slowing down, stopping, accelerating again). I'm sure someone with more clue will set me straight if I'm talking nonsense :)

I hope First are going to revisit the idea of a second entrace at the north of Temple Meads as part of the station revamp (rejected in the past due to additional staffing costs). By then that area will hopefully have seen some more development, given the whole Enterprise Zone thing.

Electric trains are more efficient and are lighter than diesels. The current high speed locos use diesel engines to generate electricity to drive electric motors. Electric trains cut out the middle man.

Not entirely sure that was the whole cause.

Well, no, but they weren't exactly encouraged by BAe.
I heard a while ago that someone wanted to buy their assets and carry on, but haven't heard any more of it. Their fleet was pretty cronky, so maybe the fuel costs made it uneconomic?

Aha, I've been meaning to ask this for a while, but what's going on with the land between all the railway junctions just west of Bristol Parkway station? Everytime I looked out of my flat window, there were JCBs on site shifting earth around but it was hard to tell what for exactly...

I believe it is to be used as a depot for the electrification works.

Are we talking about the land in the middle of the junction? They've been moving soil around that for as long as I can remember. I assumed it was a landfill site!

Are we talking about the land in the middle of the junction? They've been moving soil around that for as long as I can remember. I assumed it was a landfill site!

That's the land I mean. I did think it could be a landfill site but the ground seemed to get flatter over the course of a year and quite a lot of vegetation seemed to disappear. I suppose it could always be a waste site for earth from other construction sites...

I checked out some old maps and the northwestern quarter of the junction was indeed a refuse heap back since the 1950s. The northeastern quarter, however, was used as a spoil heap, although I don't think it was anything substantial as it wasn't in use for long.

Hey, guess what!
The good people of Yate think Filton Airfield *should* have houses on it instead of keeping useful industry there. What has lead this well-respected think-tank to arrive at this considered conclusion? Why, it would mean South Gloucs. wouldn't have to build any homes on the land near them. Doubles all round!
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Airfield-better-site-housing/story-12979185-detail/story.html

Just been watching the BBC news about the Bus Rabid Transit system. Am I alone in thinking this is likely to do more long-term harm than good? If the route from Ashton Gate is built, that will end any chance of light rail. The project looks like a last desperate attempt to grab at least a booby prize, and I worry that with Bristol City Council involved, it won't be done as cheaply, quickly, or well as the Cambridge guided busway. I'm mystified why any adult with a basic education would want to rip up a rail track to build a bus route to take people from a park-and-ride to a railway station when the money would pay to reconnect the railway so many of the same people could leave the car at home.

^^ PMSL! :lol:
Do people get off the buses foaming at the mouth, gibbering away like loons?

Bus Rabid Transit, indeed....

Looks like a planning application (http://www.bristol.gov.uk/committee/2011/wa/wa001/0727_9-3.pdf) was submitted to demolish the former Magistrate's court building in Nelson Street and redevelop the site. Good riddance to the old building, but I hope they'll refine the design of the new one a bit more.

They've managed the amazing task of including CGIs that actually make me feel a bit sorry for the current building. Brick with a set-back zinc top floor? Did 1984 call or something?

Anyone catch Bristol on film on BBC4?

It's on BBCiplayer for a few more days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012p58f/On_Film_Bristol_On_Film/
06:29

''...and I suppose it's somehow typical of Bristol that both should go on tolerating something that, in theory, they abhor. ''

^^ PMSL! :lol:
Do people get off the buses foaming at the mouth, gibbering away like loons?

Bus Rabid Transit, indeed....

They do on the number 36.

Anyone catch Bristol on film on BBC4?

It's on BBCiplayer for a few more days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012p58f/On_Film_Bristol_On_Film/
06:29

''...and I suppose it's somehow typical of Bristol that both should go on tolerating something that, in theory, they abhor. ''

I enjoyed it.

Aha, I've been meaning to ask this for a while, but what's going on with the land between all the railway junctions just west of Bristol Parkway station? Everytime I looked out of my flat window, there were JCBs on site shifting earth around but it was hard to tell what for exactly...

Are we talking about the land in the middle of the junction? They've been moving soil around that for as long as I can remember. I assumed it was a landfill site!

This is what I was talking about. I don't know if any of the recent activity I'd related though. Prob not.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Rail-depot-plan-mean-200-new-jobs/story-12806429-detail/story.html

This is what I was talking about. I don't know if any of the recent activity I'd related though. Prob not.
http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Rail-depot-plan-mean-200-new-jobs/story-12806429-detail/story.html

Aha, thanks for that. Looks like the work is just for waste then, but more exciting things on the horizon, certainly!

Anyone catch Bristol on film on BBC4?

It's on BBCiplayer for a few more days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012p58f/On_Film_Bristol_On_Film/
06:29

''...and I suppose it's somehow typical of Bristol that both should go on tolerating something that, in theory, they abhor. ''

Thanks for this link Delirium. I've posted it on the "Save Filton Airfield" group FB page. A friend of mine has placed an application with English Heritage for formal listing of the huge Brabazon hangars (which, surprisingly, no one thought to do before!) with an option to extend it to the whole airfield, on the basis of historical significance, and this kind of footage is what will help sway EH.

The Evening Post (so it must be accurate) reports that the bendy bus will not go to Temple Meads. Hopefully, that will sound the death knell for the project, and it will be consigned to the recycling box of history.

Its not quite that dramatic. The route currently has the 'Temple Meads' stop on the other side of Temple Circus outside the KPMG building.

Remodelling the roundabout so that the route can go to Temple Meads itself will be expensive - so the funding for that will be included in a separately project building the intergrated transport interchange on the 'Plot 6' site at Temple Quay.

So one of the major requirements of any rapid transit scheme in Bristol - that it should finally provide a high-frequency link for rail commuters to get to the city centre without having to venture out into the rain, has now been abandoned, rendering the bulk of its rationale redundant.
Well done BCC. Well done for cost-engineering a scheme into oblivion.
My advise it to take pointers from a similar city oop north (called Manchester), where they've learnt to implement such a system such that people, literally, cannot get enough of it - as in, it is heavily over-patronised, to the point where the revenues justify continued expansion.

Manchester had/has lots of disused or underused railway lines ready and waiting to be converted into metro lines. Bristol has just 4 lines that reach the center, none of which are ideally suited to metro services (the severn beach line takes a too roundabout route, the GWMLs to Bath and to Parkway are full of mainline trains, the Weston line is buried in cutting), and 2-3 disused trackbeds, one of which should re-open to Portishead, one of which is proposed for the guided bus, and the last of which is a very popular cycle track.

Metro rail in Bristol faces significant obstacles beyond the usual political ones, unfortunately :(

It doesn't have to be rail. Part-guided trolleybuses cost a fraction of the price and are far more flexible. Trolleybuses are the way of the future for public transport. And they only need be guided for those long stretches in the burbs like Bradley Stoke and around the ring-road.
The major hurdle is that we don't have any politicians with any brains or technical nous in this country.

Manchester had/has lots of disused or underused railway lines ready and waiting to be converted into metro lines. Bristol has just 4 lines that reach the center, none of which are ideally suited to metro services (the severn beach line takes a too roundabout route, the GWMLs to Bath and to Parkway are full of mainline trains, the Weston line is buried in cutting), and 2-3 disused trackbeds, one of which should re-open to Portishead, one of which is proposed for the guided bus, and the last of which is a very popular cycle track.

Metro rail in Bristol faces significant obstacles beyond the usual political ones, unfortunately :(

Don't forget one from Avon Meads through Brislington station to Callington Road Hospital or Tesco, depending on whether you're ill or shopping, to Whitchurch. Possibly also to Hartcliffe and Withywood. It was earmarked as a road, but that has been effectively binned. The very popular cycle track would not necessarily die a death with a bit of planning and engineering, should rail be relaid. Don't forget that the Ashton Vale stupid bendy bus route includes a strap-on cycle path and footpath to the east side of the old former double decker. (Yes, really)

Don't forget one from Avon Meads through Brislington station to Callington Road Hospital or Tesco, depending on whether you're ill or shopping, to Whitchurch. Possibly also to Hartcliffe and Withywood. It was earmarked as a road, but that has been effectively binned. The very popular cycle track would not necessarily die a death with a bit of planning and engineering, should rail be relaid. Don't forget that the Ashton Vale stupid bendy bus route includes a strap-on cycle path and footpath to the east side of the old former double decker. (Yes, really)

I believe the cycle/footpath attached to the side of the old bridge has now been dropped as a cost cutting measure. Out of curiosity, the only bendy bus I've been on is at the Eden project, where they are use to ferry people to and from the car parks. That was fine, but i've no idea what they're like operating in cities. Some people seem very anti - I wonder why?

Everyone is refering to it as a bendy bus, but surely the main point is that it is guided in parts in off-road concrete guideways? Or has this idea fallen by the wayside too?

Everyone is refering to it as a bendy bus, but surely the main point is that it is guided in parts in off-road concrete guideways? Or has this idea fallen by the wayside too?

Have a look at the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, locally dubbed the Misguided Bustway by some, and you will see why the guided aspect isn't being trumpeted too loudly. Bendy in London means tried, tested, and found lacking technology. Their's are being replaced well ahead of their planned demise. I wonder who'll get them? Meanwhile in Manchester, the first generation of trams are being refurbed, with new ones bought for the expansion. Seems to be very popular and heavily used, but not enough to tempt me back to my native Oldham. No. Never.Not for all the curry in Union Street.

Seems to be very popular and heavily used, but not enough to tempt me back to my native Oldham. No. Never.Not for all the curry in Union Street.

At least not until it goes through the town! Imagine having to cross a busy dual-carriageway just to catch a tram from the old Mumps station! :eek: