The proposed development is to be built on part of the old Children's Hospital site on the corner of St Michael's Hill and Tyndall Avenue. It will create over £80 million-worth of education and research facilities and laboratories for the Biological Sciences and Mathematics Departments and will also improve the public realm, including a new route into Royal Fort garden from St Michael's Hill.
Over the past year, the University and its project team have involved the local community and key stakeholders in a series of consultation workshops and public exhibitions to help shape the emerging proposals. In December this pre-application consultation concluded with an exhibition of the final scheme just prior to submission.
The planning package includes a full planning application (ref 08/05160/F) for demolition of the unlisted buildings within the site and re-development to provide new academic and educational facilities for Biological Sciences and Mathematics plus associated works to the external realm, creation of pedestrian routes and cycle parking provision. There is also a Conservation Area application (ref 08/05163/LC) for demolition of unlisted buildings on the former Children's Hospital site, a Listed building application (ref
08/05162/LA) for works to the listed former Children's Hospital Frontage and a further Listed building application for repairs to and a plinth for the Ivy Gate.
The applications have now been registered and the documents and drawings are available to view at the Council's planning offices in Brunel House, St George's Road, Bristol. Alternatively they can be viewed online by visiting the planning section of the Council website or the Government's planning portal website.
Commenting on behalf of the University's project team Jeremy Bladon, of CSJ Planning Consultants, said: "This is an important project for both the University and the city as a whole involving redevelopment of a predominantly derelict site in a sensitive location to provide state-of-the-art academic facilities. The preparation of this application is the culmination of over a year's ongoing planning and design work which has involved invaluable input from the local community, University staff and students and other key stakeholders."
Following the demolition of two unlisted buildings on the former Children's Hospital site, the University has appointed local experts BaRAS to carry out a full archaeological investigation to establish the extent and location of the remains of the original Royal Fort building. The archaeological excavation and investigation work will start in early February and is due to be completed by the end of the month.