News / planning
Proposed redevelopment slammed as ‘visually incongruous’
A “complex” planning application which seeks to redevelop parts of a set of buildings near Queen Square has been criticised as “invasive”, “visually incongruous” and “overbearing”.
Comments made by City Design Group have been echoed by Bristol Civic Society, who both claim the proposals are “harmful” and need a number of design modifications.
The proposed plans are for 3 Queen Square, 2 Little King Street and the 1980s-built office block Armourers House on Queen Charlotte Street.
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While the existing buildings will not be demolished, proposals involve changing the use of 2 Little King Street from a warehouse to offices, and integrating it with Armourers House and 3 Queen Square, the latter of which are both currently offices.
As well works to the listed buildings, there would be a two-storey extension of Armourers House.
A planning application that has been submitted to Bristol City Council which seeks to refurbish a set of buildings close to Queen Square – image: AEW
The plans are for 3 Queen Square, 2 Little King Street and Armourers House on Queen Charlotte Street – photo: Martin Booth
The planning application seeks to refurbish the existing office building and extend the roof by two floors, with the eventual building a step back from the building line onto Queen Charlotte Street and finished in powder-coated metal.
Developers also want to install a lift within the late-Georgian style townhouse overlooking Queen Square, as well as remove and raise floors and open up new windows in a warehouse to its rear, facing onto Little King Street.
City Design Group said the lack of detail on the proposed platform is “concerning” and the extension proposed to the 1972 block “would impact on the character of the Conservation Area through projecting over the roofscape of Queen Square and through impinging on views of the Grade II*-listed Granary building in views along Little King Street”.
The existing buildings will not be demolished – photo: Martin Booth
City Design Group also criticised the colour of the exterior of one of the proposed buildings as it would “conflict with the grain and the rhythm” of the terrace in the foreground.
They added: “Similar issues would arise in views down Little King Street, where the proposed materials would compound the sense of overbearing of the historic scale of the lane and distract from the Grade II*-listed Granary; this should remain the landmark building in these views.”
In the statement issued by the conservation section of City Design Group, they emphasise the requirement for a clear and convincing justification for the development and further detail to be given on parts of the design, also putting forward recommendations for the council to consider.
Their suggestions included a review of the proposed plan, reconsideration of the materials to be used in the extension and further information on the internal treatment of the buildings listed.
Bristol Civic Society added: “In short, there is a degree of harm to the listed buildings and conservation area which needs better justification and a number of design modifications should be considered.
“We were clear that we welcomed the reuse of the Armourers House as the preferred option, as opposed to its demolition, given the resulting, unnecessary carbon emissions this would lead to.”
Main image: AEW
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