Traders and residents hope plans to create a penthouse apartment at Atticus House in Bristol's Old Market will help to "improve the area and support local businesses". Locals say the formerly "run-down" area needs high-quality housing to continue to attract more people into the neighbourhood.
The planning application proposes a mansard roof extension in order to create a penthouse apartment for the building, located at 13-15 West Street, expanding the space to "meet the growing demand for high quality residential accommodation in Old Market". The building houses Ebony Rose Upholstery and Bristol Vintage downstairs and, according to a heritage statement submitted with the plans, these shops are currently well used within the local community within the Old Market conservation area.
The statement adds: "The site was used for many years as the Lamb Inn from the 17th century...The current building onsite, an attractive and imposing Bath stone building was constructed at the turn of the 20th century.
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"During the 20th century the building was converted into two shops and six apartments above. The building is not listed, however is recognised as an unlisted building of merit."
It goes on to say: "The proposed demolition of parts of the existing modern roof and erection of a habitable penthouse roof extension are relatively limited in terms of the impact on the conservation area. This is because the proposed scheme is in keeping and sympathetic to the overall character of Old Market in terms of the architectural detailing, materiality, scale, and massing."
Plans submitted to Bristol City Council detail a kitchen/living room area spanning more than 42 metres squared, three bedrooms, an en-suite and a main bathroom. It will also come with a secure lock-up to house a bin and bike storage unit on the ground floor of the building, for use of the penthouse residents.
'Old Market has become more alive'
Local residents and business owners, including one of the shops below, expressed support of the plans, saying it will "inject new life and cash" into an area that has previously been "run down". One comment from a neighbour reads: "Fully support this development. We need more people like this improving the area of Old Market. I own a shop on Stapleton Road so am directly affected by developments in this area, and would like to see more."
Another said: "As a resident of Old Market living directly on West Street for the past five years, I have read the application for the extension on Atticus House and can say I support the development. I believe Old Market is in need of quality development and will help aid the much needed regeneration to the area it deserves."
A third wrote: "I think it is good to be able to accommodate more people in Old Market." While a fourth commented: "We the workers of Old Market are in support of new visitors be it tourists or new residents moving to the area.
"Since the construction of new residents buildings Old Market has become more alive and businesses are thriving." The only concern flagged by a local at time of writing is that of parking. The comment reads: "Only concern would be parking as there is a large new block of flats built on Lawford Street which may be an issue, but the property extension doesn't look like it will add too many flats. Other than this I am neutral/would lean towards support."
'Roof will continue to erode'
Currently, according to the heritage statement within the plans, the roof as it is on the building of Atticus House is deemed "a liability" and something that isn't in-keeping with the grander architecture found at the lower end of Old Market, while the rest of the building is.
The statement says: "The existing mixed-use building is a unique building and is more akin the to the grander buildings found at the lower end of Old Market, closer to the Old City Gates. That being said the roof area though is of low-quality and lacks character in comparison to other buildings within its immediate and wider context.
"The lack of architectural detailing and use of fiberglass roof structure has little to no significance in its relationship between the Victorian and Georgian architecture of the area. This is recognised as a threat and damaging to the area according to the Old Market Character Appraisal.
"As time progresses, the existing state of the roof of 13 -15 West Street will continue to erode and will be even less in keeping with the area and uninhabitable for residential use. As such, the existing roof is not a significant asset, and should be viewed as a liability."
You can view the full list of planning application documents on Bristol City Council's planning portal, here.
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