The Government's specialists on heritage and listed buildings have cautioned the planners working on Bristol's Temple Island development to improve designs in case they compromise the iconic vistas of neighbouring Temple Meads Station.
Historic England has sent multiple letters to the Bristol City Council's planning department, who are in the midst of evaluating a major planning application for the city. The organisation expressed apprehensions about the potential visual intrusion of tall structures planned near the Grade I-listed station onto its historic profile.
Describing Temple Meads as "a masterpiece of Victorian engineering prowess", Stephen Guy, Historic England's Inspector of Historic Buildings and Areas, said: "The different phases of the station use contrasting architectural styles, but they are united by both their materiality and the flamboyance in their execution.
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"The station approach or 'ramp' constitutes its primary setting, and we place great importance on conserving this view."
Legal and General Group (L&G) is envisioning developments for the plot opposite the station which could significantly affect the view, according to Mr Guy and his colleagues at Historic England, reports .
In January, Business Live's sister site Bristol Live reported on L&G's ambitions for Temple Island. The area, until recently known as 'Arena Island', lies to the south of Temple Meads and straddles between Bath Road and the River Avon. This once-designated site for a 10,000-capacity arena has been the subject of varying developmental visions over the years.
Since abandoning a former scheme eight years ago, part of the site in question has now been allocated for student housing, while L&G advances with an ambitious £350m development on 'Temple Island'.
The firm aims to erect 520 new homes, including 200 'affordable' properties, alongside two office structures, retail areas, 'flexible workspaces', and a hotel complete with conference amenities following a deal inked with Bristol City Council during Marvin Rees's tenure as Mayor.
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Historic England has raised concerns over the proposed height and design of these buildings given their proximity to the iconic Grade I-listed Temple Meads station.
The area around Temple Meads, particularly within the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, has witnessed a flurry of tall building consents and ongoing constructions, which includes the ongoing expansion of the University of Bristol campus.
However, Historic England insists that despite this setting a precedent, the cumulative effect poses a risk to the historic milieu of Temple Meads station.
"Historic England has some concerns regarding the application on heritage grounds," said Mr Guy, who is advocating for planning adjustments to modify the construction with stepped designs and setbacks for taller buildings, reducing their dominance over Temple Meads station.
"While other neighbouring and nearby sites have approved schemes for tall buildings, there will, of course, be cumulative impacts, if consented developments are implemented.
"Despite cumulative impact, we advise that the impact of the proposed scheme, in isolation, could be mitigated through the design and materiality of the tallest block proposed for the site.
"This should appear recessive and contrasting against the Pennant and limestone ashlar of the station building," he wrote.
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"The remaining viewpoints, taken from various points around the city, indicate that the tallest block would be the most visually prominent within the Bristol skyline.
"There will be various degrees of impact on the historic environment, many of which will need to be considered by your conservation specialist."
To date, the planning application by L&G has attracted fewer than 20 objections submitted to the city council's planners, who are set to make a decision in the forthcoming months.
The objectors include groups such as the Bristol Civic Society, the Bristol Tree Forum, and the Windmill Hill and Malago Planning Group.
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