Temple Church: Extra security to stop rough sleepers using ruined church in Bristol

Extra security is being installed at a ruined church in Bristol city centre in a bid to the stop the site being used by the homeless.

Temple Church, which is situated in Temple Street off Victoria Street, will have additional metal bars installed in six of its windows to stop people getting inside, after the plan was approved by Bristol City Council.

The planning application was submitted to the council by church owners English Heritage, which lists the site in its top 20 worst condition buildings. The church was built in the 15th century on the site of a Knights Templar temple.

It has been left as a memorial to the Bristol Bltiz from 1940 to 1941, when it was badly damaged.

The site has stood empty since, but of late there have been concerns raised over people gainain unauthorised access.

In a supporting document to the planning application, agents for English Heritage, Caroe and Partners said: “The proposal is to introduce additional security bars to the east end and chapel windows to reduce the opportunity for unauthorised access.

“The site has a history of unauthorised access leading to rough sleeping and litter.

“English Heritage intend to increase public access to the church following the current campaign of masonry repairs and feel it essential to reduce and hopefully eliminate unauthorised access.”

In a report approving the planning application, a Bristol City Council officer said the security bars would have no negative impact on the listed building.

Last year, English Heritage said it intended to draw up plans to turn the site into a public space.