A historic university building could be refurbished under new plans recently submitted. Each week Bristol City Council receives dozens of planning applications seeking permission for a whole range of developments.
Over the past seven days, those applications also included redeveloping the entrance to a church and a new noodle restaurant opening up. Here’s this week’s round-up of notable planning applications submitted to the council.
Every week dozens are validated by the local authority and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals. All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public. Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications — whether in support or objection.
The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers. However, some will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees. No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined. They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Bristol City Council’s website.
Refurbishing historic university building
A historic university building could be refurbished. Royal Fort House, on Woodland Road, is used by staff at the University of Bristol. The changes would be made to the second floor of the service wing, including replacing a ceiling, installing sound insulation, and decorating.
The 18th-century building is Grade-I listed and takes its name from a fort constructed there during the civil war. The house was built for Thomas Tyndall, a wealthy Bristol merchant and banker, and was later given to the university in 1917, according to planning documents.
The service wing is thought to be less “historically significant” than the main house, due to extensive alterations made over the years. Part of the ceiling is currently cracked and sound insulation is needed in a meeting room to “ensure conversations remain private”.
Redeveloping entrance to church
The front entrance to a city church could be redeveloped. The Broadmead Baptist Church building, on Union Street, is Grade-II listed and was constructed in the 1960s, although the church is much older and the site has a “legacy of worship dating back to the 17th century”.
In planning documents, architects said: “The proposals aim to enhance the front entrance, with a more contemporary and attractive design using high quality materials reflective of the style and materiality used elsewhere in the church. The area was badly damaged in the Blitz, though the church survived relatively unscathed.
“Redevelopment however of the wider area as the Broadmead shopping centre led to its replacement. The changes will help secure the long-term use of the church, reinforcing its identity and presence within the community while maintaining its original purpose.”
Noodles replacing cafe
A noodle restaurant could be replacing a cafe at the Clifton Down shopping centre. Nala Not Just Noodles has applied for permission to change the sign outside of a unit at the shopping centre on Whiteladies Road, which was formerly home to the Restore cafe.
Since the cafe relocated, the unit, next to Boots, has been left empty. Nala says the restaurant “brings the unforgettable flavours of Southeast Asian cuisine to the table, inspired by cherished memories and a spirit of sharing”, according to their social media.