The historic building that went up in a flames on Sunday night in Redfield was put under a protection order by Bristol City Council just two weeks ago. As mopping up operations continue following the devastating fire at the old Co-Op Funeral Care on Sunday night, Historic England confirmed the building had been given a temporary protection order from demolition.
Planning applications had been made to demolish the 1950s building to build 74 flats on the site. Historic England had been assessing the building for listing and a Building Preservation Notice had been issued to allow the organisation to make a proper assessment. Notices were attached to the old building informing the owner that demolition or alteration would be illegal.
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A spokesperson for Historic England said: “We are saddened to hear about the fire at the old Co-Op Funeral Parlour on Church Road. The building has been given temporary protection from alteration and demolition through the Building Preservation Notice served by Bristol City Council and we are in the process of assessing it for listing.
“We will work with the council and support them in considering the next steps for securing the building,” said the spokesperson. Two new public objections had been added to the planning application following the fire.
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The first was from a resident on Heber Street, close to the fire, which stated that the planned development was 'too big, in case of a fire our houses are in danger extremely fast and there would be no way to protect us and our children'.
Firefighting teams went to the blaze which started at 8pm with many Bristol residents watching plumes of smoke billow across the city. The A420 Church Road in Redfield was closed in both directions after the fire broke out.
It was only re-opened on Monday morning at 9am following all-night fire services activity at the scene. A small number of residents in Church Street and Heber Street were evacuated. People were asked to stay inside and to keep the doors and windows closed.
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