The story so far
The Carriageworks Action Group is a broad alliance of local residents, business owners and people from local organisations working with Bristol City Council to address the dereliction of the site. It will meet at least twice a year and more often when there is something to discuss.
You might know the Carriageworks and the adjoining Westmoreland House on Stokes Croft – they’re the big derelict buildings near the Ashley Road junction. Residents and organisations in St Pauls, Kingsdown, Montpelier and Cotham are now working with the City Council to write a Community Vision for the future of the whole site. We want to know what you think the Vision should include.
- The buildings and surrounding land are owned by the Comer Homes Group, a London based property developer which bought the site in the 1980s.
- The Carriageworks was designed by EW Godwin, an important Victorian Architect. It is a Grade II* listed building in poor condition and is on the buildings “at risk” register.
- Westmoreland House is the 6 storey 1960s concrete frame office building, last occupied in 1986 by the Football Pools Company.
- At the rear is 4 Ashley Road, a derelict but Grade II listed house.
- Together with land at the rear, the site is the same size as 1.6 football pitches.
- In 1989 planning permission was granted for the development of 63 flats, offices and underground parking.
- In 2006 the Council and local communities agreed a policy for a variety of uses on the site including residential, business and leisure facilities.
- In 2010 the Government Planning Inspector refused a planning application for 153 flats, 5 shops and 112 parking spaces.
- In 2011 a planning application was submitted by the owners for the development of 183 flats, shops and underground parking on the site. The application is being considered by the City Council.
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I know its harsh but the place needs to be pulled down. Even Godwins building is grim and hardly a fitting entry to the city! To be honest a bulldozer through the whole area is the only answer – take a look at the restored buildings on nearby corner and they are shabby again!! Most of the buildings in Stokes Croft are of low Victorian quality anyway!
Cannot go with Bill about the Godwin building- problem is that it is dwarfed by the building next door…that said, towers can be inspiring….
I don’t agree with Bill – I think that the Carriageworks is a very fine facade indeed, and that Westmoreland house has a lot of potential. Mid-20th Century concrete frame buildings can be among the nicest to live and work in when they are appropriately updated – the frame allows for big windows, spacious rooms, and a sense of solidity and massiness that you rarely find in older buildings.
Bill, you’re right that there are buildings of middling quality in Stokes Croft, but the sheer diversity of styles on a single street makes it a treasure. A lot of the grimness is surface-deep only.
It would be great if the facade was kept, but honestly anything is better than the empty shell that has been sat there for so long (my whole life!). I think the listed status must be a hindrance to any kind of useful development there, which is a shame.