'Major concerns' over plans to demolish Bristol art deco shopping parade for multi-million regeneration scheme

Bristol City Council has submitted plans to knock down the existing three-storey structure at 4-16 Filwood Broadway in Knowle West to replace it with a new four-storey building containing 18 residential units and commercial floorspace.

Bristol Civic Society has now come out to say it supports the project in principle - but objects to the proposed internal layouts of the flats.

The organisation, which aims to improve Bristol's built environment and celebrate its heritage, wrote on its website: “The applicant has spent a significant amount of time and effort producing the proposals and the documents show what a fantastic job has been done.

“The consultation with the community and in-depth analysis of the existing buildings and elevational treatments is to be commended.

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“However, we believe that there is a fundamental design error in the proposals which is negatively affecting the very positive objective to create more residential properties in the area.

“The living spaces are in the middle of the flats without any windows or clear views out and therefore cannot deliver healthy living standards.

“In addition, the flat layouts turn their backs on the street, by providing bedrooms to the front elevation. This could cause ongoing noise issues and additional cost to the building and occupants.

“In our view, these issues could readily be designed away, thereby creating an excellent project in all respects.”

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The post has been met with comments expressing frustration over the demolition of the neighbouring former art deco cinema in 2023, where 30 new homes and a small supermarket are now being built.

“It was a major historical mistake to demolish the cinema!” wrote Filwood Chase History Society chair Jim Smith.

Local resident Karen Smith added: "Definitely a huge mistake destroying the cinema. It could have been turned into a multi-use area; so much more could have been done.”

Both the shopping parade and cinema’s demolition are part of multi-million pound plans to regenerate the Filwood Broadway high street, with the 1930s community centre there also due for a huge revamp.