'Temple Island' Heritage group fears tower's impact on historic railway hub

THE Government's own heritage and listed-building experts have told planners developing the 'Temple Island' site that they need to do better and change their designs, or risk damaging the iconic views of the listed Temple Meads Station next door.

- Tristan CORK

Historic England have written several times to Bristol City Council's planners, who are processing one of the city's biggest planning applications in recent years, and said they are concerned about how the tall buildings planned for the area near the station will impact on the Grade I-listed station itself.

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.

"The station approach or 'ramp' constitutes its primary setting, and we place great importance on conserving this view."

And what the Legal & General Group (L&G) are proposing to be built on the area just the other side of the station could well impact that view, Mr Guy and Historic England said.