The Victorian Society requests a public inquiry into the Silverthorne Lane development in a final bid to save an irreplaceable part of Bristol’s industrial heritage.
Photo: Warehouse on Feeder Canal.
In September, The Victorian Society announced its strong objection to the proposed demolition of several historic industrial sheds which are representative of Bristol’s industrial growth. The Society called for the imaginative conversion of the industrial buildings over needless demolition.
Amendments made to the proposed plans do not acknowledge any of the points raised in the The Victorian Society’s objection letter. The development would involve the demolition and conversion of a historic industrial site which sits along the Feeder Canal in Bristol, near to Temple Meads Station. The proposed plans will split the former site of The Acraman’s Bristol Iron Works into six plots between Avon Street and St Philip’s Causeway, with the tallest proposed building on the site reaching 21-storeys. The Victorian Society states that a different approach is needed that retains more historic fabric, stressing that the sensitive treatment of the historic industrial sheds which stand on the site is vital in order to protect an intrinsic part of Bristol’s heritage. The Victorian Society cites the converted historic buildings on Bristol’s Spike Island and the restoration of the M Sheds beside Bristol’s Floating Harbour as examples of disused industrial buildings creatively transformed into thriving and fashionable hubs which continue to present the site’s history.
12/03/2020
