News / Lawrence Hill
‘Vibrant new town centre’ proposed for Lawrence Hill
Ambitious plans have been revealed to transform Lawrence Hill into “a vibrant new town centre”.
The plans include improved shopping areas, a new square and green spaces as well as 40 per cent affordable housing and social housing.
Proposals come from TownCentred, a ‘high street consultancy’ in Bishopston, who have worked with members of the Lawrence Hill community to develop a vision of “a vibrant new town centre with a mix of housing, workspace and community facilities”.
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A new document, Lawrence Hill Homes Heart & High Street – A New Town Centre, goes into more detail about the plans.
A steering group chaired by Green councillor for Easton, Jenny Bartle, has already been set up with support from Fund Their Future, a Cotham-based charity dedicated to community development.
But the plans are in very early stages at the moment with a “coalition of local stakeholders now sought to guide the next phase, balancing development impacts with community aspirations to foster a renewed and vibrant town centre in Lawrence Hill”.
Lidl is likely to remain in the area but as part of a multi-storey development – photo: Martin Booth
Lawrence Hill and onwards onto Church Road is described as “a heavy traffic dominated high street with a limited, poorly presented retail offer and empty pavements (that) tell their own, sad story”.
“Between the Lidl ‘gap’, burnt-out or stuck development sites, vacant shops, rail and road bridge gaps and inappropriate new development (such as Vanguard storage), there are numerous opportunities to bring forward a much improved aesthetic environment, improve building uses (especially at ground floor level), design out crime and create a vibrant local centre and offer for the residents of Lawrence Hill.”
A review of “obsolete sites and sites that are in the wrong use relative to residential-led mixed uses” shows there are around nine hectares of developable land including Lidl and its car park, Berkeley Court Business Park, and Lawrence Hill Industrial Park.
The document says: “Whilst the unfragmented nature of the various land holdings is helpful in terms of creating a deliverable plan, the lack of significant ownership by the public sector, particularly in the early phases is disappointing.
“However… there is the possibility – given the size of opportunity in Lawrence Hill – for a Development Corporation to be created to accelerate the process which has proven very beneficial in other locations, such as Stockport MDC.”
Future plans include a new square on the site of Berkeley Business Centre – image: GCP Architects
A potential density of around 200 units per hectare – similar to Wapping Wharf – is suggested for the plans which “would enable the area to create an attractive and successful mid-rise residential led mixed use neighbourhood”.
“This would be less than high density development which has been shown to challenge successful placemaking and liveability aspirations, often resulting in poor quality development.”
Lawrence Hill could be transformed into “a vibrant new town centre with a mix of housing, workspace and community facilities”. – photo: Martin Booth
The document admits that a “major hurdle to new homes is the resistance of local residents to embrace development and change”.
“In many cases this is to be sympathised with given the quality of many new developments and in cases in which they are being built on otherwise undeveloped land creating something worse than what already exists.
“However, clearly this is not the case in Lawrence Hill.
“Provided new services and amenities (such as doctors, dentists, schools etc) can be integrated into new developments, then the potential benefits for existing residents outweigh the disadvantages.”
Could a “21st century exemplar newly regenerated centre” be created in Lawrence Hill? – photo: Martin Booth
The document adds: “If the community can come together, align and indicate prospective acceptance to new, well designed development adhering to high quality place making principles… then the potential to create tangible benefits for existing residents through the provision of new homes and creating an attractive town centre environment for all is a real one.
“To create better quality working opportunities for Lawrence Hill residents, this development must be seen also as an opportunity to transition from a traditional industrial area into a mixed use neighbourhood including a modern business destination.
“This is a large and complex project which requires many elements to be drawn together to ensure success.
“However, the benefits for both existing and anticipated new residents are enormous as is the chance to create a 21st century exemplar newly regenerated centre.
“The urgency already exists given the needs of many residents in the locality whether living in overcrowded homes or frustration and dissatisfaction with their local neighbourhood.”
Community consultation events are being held at Rendezvous Plus Cafe at 182 Lawrence Hill in which residents are invited to help shape the project by sharing their views. These events are taking place on November 13 (2.30pm & 4.30pm), November 15 (11am & 2.30pm) and November 16 (11am).
Main image: GCP Architects
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