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Clifton and Hotwells
Improvement Society (CHIS)

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CHIS Streetscape

Maggie Shapland
Streetscape- the term which describes all that one sees in a street in addition to buildings, such as pavements, street furniture, traffic and other signs. Whereas attention is often paid to preserving buildings, especially in Conservation Areas, the streetscape is often overwhelmed by unecessary clutter and poor workmanship.

The Clifton and Hotwells character appraisal states in section 7.2 (Architectural Details): The Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area has a rich variety of architectural detail, reflecting the varied architectural styles and special interest of the area. The preservation, and appropriate reinstatement, of traditional details is vital, in order to preserve or enhance the area’s special character or interest. The variety of windows, doors and roofs enliven the area and give variety and interest to the street scene. Most commonly Classical details are used in porches, windows, door surrounds, cornices and parapets, which provide vital alleviation to the stucco or brick facades.

It is important that architectural details are protected and preserved, as it is often the factor that gives the plainer buildings their character. Particularly in terraces it is the overall consistency of design and detail that gives the character, and loss of detail on one house in a terrace can be damaging to the whole group.

light
Original arc light		 doorway
Doorway uncluttered by bins and boxes		 yellow lines
Boyces Avenue/ Clifton Park.
Yellow lines are supposed to be primrose yellow and narrow in a conservation area.
chimneys
chimneys are a very important part of streetscape		 chimneys
these chimneys are from Windsor Terrace
The contents of this page:

Buckingham Place pillar

Buckingham Place
Before		 Buckingham Place
After
Buckingham Place
 Buckingham Place
Buckingham Place

Governess Sign

March 2015: CHIS has paid for the Governess sign to be restored on the building in Dover Place
Governess sign
Before		 Governess sign
After
It is important to preserve original historic signage. An example of signage removed from 50 Princess Victoria Street within 30 minutes of discovery to avoid delay to development. The lettering referred to Mr Sibley, wagon and carriage proprietor (from 1876-1901), who also took in wagons and horses.

February 2015 Posts in Clifton Village as result of RPZ

rpz posts

This is what happens if you do not agree to having a sign on your wall. There is now a gap of only 1m to get your pushchair through! Fortunately most of the residents in Princess Victoria Street have agreed to signs on their walls

January 2015 Yellow Lines in Clifton Village as result of RPZ

At the Neighbourhood Partnership meeting in October, I made a statement asking that care should be made when marking out RPZ and had a meeting with John Toy (but no further replies when I asked questions again that had not been answered. In January 2015, I tackled the men when I saw them painting broad yellow lines and told them they should be putting down primrose yellow narrow lines since it is a conservation area. They said that if there were broad lines before, they would be replaced by broad lines since they would have to burn off the lines and start again.

This is simply not true, there are many places where you can see narrow lines on older yellow lines (eg Princes Buildings). You also get the stupidity of Royal York Crescent and the Paragon where you have narrow lines on one side and broad lines down the other. You get joins of broad lines to narrow lines eg top of Princess Victoria St, and Royal York Crescent. Do not spoil our conservation area for the sake of a ha'porth of tar. You must be consistent with narrow lines.

rpz lines
Junction of Princess Victoria Street and Regent Street		 rpz lines
Royal York Crescent- mixture of broad and narrow lines
rpz lines
Painting narrow lines on top of broad lines		 rpz lines
Victoria Square. Unbelievable! This is a conservation area. This is a bicycle and motorbike parking area. Why? Why? Why put double lines here? There are bollards to stop parking. This is ridiculous.
rpz lines
Boyces Avenue- an iconic entrance to Clifton. Not even a Smart car could get down here. Why put yellow lines here? There are bollards stopping cars entering Boyces Avenue during the day. Words fail me.

Maggie thus raised the issue at the Neighbourhood Partnership meeting in January and got the following response (via Charles Lucas who raised the matter with the team):

Dear Councillor Lucas, Our approach to dealing with existing double yellow lines is dictated by the road surface material. On new road surfaces we eradicate existing markings using a technique call burning-out. This involves using a flaming lance to burn the marking off the road surface. We can then lay new 50mm primrose yellow lines without issue. The problem we have around Clifton Village is that most of the road are not new surfaces but have been repeatedly surface dress over many years.

Surface dressing is a process of overlaying the road with hot tar slurry and stone chips which seals the underlying carriageway construction and improves the skid resistance of the surface. By doing this we considerably extend the life of the carriageway and is very cost effective way of maintaining the highway. In the process of surface dressing, all existing road markings are covered by the slurry and then reinstated. Roads that have been surfaced dressed repeatedly have many layers of tar and paint on top of each other. In locations where there is high levels of vehicle tracking the old lines can also start to wear through.

On roads that have been surface dressed it is not possible to burn-off lines as this also removes the surface dressing and any underlying layers of old paint resulting in deep messy gouges in the carriageway surface. The only way to effectively eradicate road makings on surface dressed road is to completely take up the top layer of the road surface and lay a new asphalt surface course. This requires specialist contractors and machinery and is not cost effective to do in small sections in isolation.

As a result we are refreshing any existing 100mm double yellow lines that are in good condition to ensure they are enforceable and these will be replaced by 50mm primrose yellow lines when the road is next surface dressed. At locations where existing lines are in very poor condition and the surface dressing is wearing through to show old layers of paint we ‘black out’ any old road markings and lay 50mm primrose lines on a temporary basis to ensure the markings are enforceable. We will then arrange for full resurfacing to be undertaken at later date after the scheme becomes operational. We will then let a separate contract to deal with all the resurfacing across the whole the scheme which will be more efficient and cost effective way of undertaking the work.

Any locations where new 50mm lines feed into existing 100mm lines we will be using a transverse end marking to ‘join’ the two set of marks. Again these will all become 50mm primrose yellow lines when the road is next surface dressed.

We are dealing with very old uneven road surfaces can lead to problems of ‘bleeding’ or looking uneven but I can assure you we are monitoring the quality of the lining work very closely and will reject anything that is not of a high enough standard. If any residents have concerns about the look or quality of the lining works they should contact the Residents’ Parking Team and advise of the location so that were can investigate and undertake remedial action as necessary.

I trust this provides you with the information you require but if I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

October 2014 RPZ signage

Maggie Shapland as CHIS streetscape coordinator, asked some questions at the Neighbourhood Partnership, and as a consequence met with John Toy, the RPZ liaison officer, two highway engineering colleagues and Cllr Lucas along with confused residents of Caledonia Place/ West Mall and Victoria Square who had only been given the alternative of signs on railings or signs on new posts. A resident of Princes Buildings also attended. The meeting was much appreciated.
rpz post
New post cut into pennant flag stone. Please use a wall, railing or lamp post in preference

BCC was encouraged to adopt the principle of a light touch, minimalist approach to signage keeping the number of signs to an absolute minimum. An opportunity to tweak would arise at the 6 month review. It was easier to add signs than take them away. English Heritage had also been contacted but they do not have a formal remit as signs are enacted under highway’s legislation, rather than through the planning system.

Signage must be legible and enforceable (court cases always find in favour of the appellant) to make sure people park in the right place. Signs must be placed within 15m of the end of the bay with repeater signs every 30m, but the law would change again in 2015 meaning even less signs would be needed. 2012 Traffic Sign Regulations now seek to reduce excessive signage so it should be possible to have one sign at the beginning and end of each zone type with arrows, and one in the middle if needed. Streets with a lot of garages mean that many signs will be needed, such as 8 on south side of bottom of Princess Victoria Street in only 175m.

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002, as amended, (TSRGD) prescribe traffic signs and road markings for local traffic authorities to use without reference to this Department. TSRGD can be viewed at –

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/3113/contents/made

You may wish to review the associated guidance that we have issued which provides advice on the various ways in which on-street parking can be signed. This is contained in Chapter 3 of the Traffic Signs Manual which is available at –

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual

The team can confirm that they are currently working on a new TSRGD which is expected to be delivered in the early part of 2015. The new TSRGD will, subject to appropriate Parliamentary scrutiny, allow much greater flexibility regarding the variation and placing of traffic signs. However, until such time as the new Regulations come in to force, the current requirements remain.

Certain streets such as Canynge Square, the Paragon which are cul de sacs may just get two large signs at the entrance to the road to indicate that the road was only residents parking. This would avoid extra signs in the road itself. This had been used to good effect at the top of Glentworth Road leading to Bellevue Crescent with neither street having any signs for example.

Pay and Display machines needed to be visible in a 50m radius. As a result of this, it was agreed that a proposed Pay and Display machine would not be needed in West Mall because there was already one in the Mall at the corner of the Mall Gardens.

rpz red x
cul de sac large sign		 rpz red x
either a post or railing		 rpz xw
wall		 rpz xl
lamp post		 rpz pd
pay and display		 rpz mistake
mistake		 rpz blue
water
The white cross merely indicates that a sign will be placed at that location but not whether it is on railings or a new post. XW means the sign will be on a wall. There are squares for Pay and Display units.

Disabled signs must be indicated both on the road and on a sign.

I queried why there were yellow and red markings as well as white (yellow can often be a correction, red was because they ran out of blue paint for water pipes). Clearly the yellow marks on the kerb indicates where there will be double yellows. Some confusing marks indicated corrections where a sign was no longer needed as the team had been trying to minimise signage.

So less signage, more use of lamp posts, least possible new posts (due to the damage done to pennant paving flags) was the message of the day to the RPZ team. Some signs have already been replaced, the RPZ signs will start to appear in January. Do look at the pavement marks in your street and if you have any queries contact respark@bristol.gov.uk with the name of the street in the subject heading. Consultation has extended to the first week in November due to the many queries raised as a result of marking the pavements. It is far easier to rectify problems now rather than later.

Yellow Lines

August 2011: Note the wide yellow lines at the corner of Boyce's Avenue instead of the narrow yellow lines to be expected in a conservation area. A letter was sent to Bristol City Highway Asset Management about yellow lines and “no waiting” signs by Duncan Ogilvie. We await a reply.

Well they are narrow, but bright yellow, wavy, can not decide to go over or round drain covers, put where no lines existed before and also painted over a road entrance! Read the latest sorry saga in Sion Hill about covering up cobble sets and wayward lines. The yellow lines still look pretty bad, some have had to be painted out. Perhaps the Council road resurfacer needs reminding Clifton is a Conservation area.

Chimneys

chimney chimney
14/05706/H | Retrospective consent for removal of 4 No chimney stacks. | 18 And 19 Mortimer Road Bristol BS8 4EY May 2015 refused
The removal of the two chimney stacks has harmed the aesthetic and architectural value of the roofscape of the buildings 18 and 19 Mortimer Road which were striking features when seen against the skyline. As such their removal has had a significant adverse impact on the character and appearance of this part of the Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area, contrary to guidance contained within the National Planning Policy Framework (2012), The Core Strategy (2011) Policies BCS21 and BCS22 and The Site Allocations and Development Management Policies (2014) DM30 and DM31 as well as guidance set out in the Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area Character Appraisal (2010).

14/01537/CP Removal of 2 chimney stacks shared with neighbour. 18 Mortimer Road Bristol BS8 4EY.
14 July 2014Certificate of Lawfulness refused.

Since 1 October 2013 the need to obtain Conservation Area consent was abolished by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act (2013). Consequently, this application should be assessed against the amended provisions in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (TCPA) and the General Permitted Development Order (GDPO).

If removal of the chimneys amounts to relevant demolition, it will not be permitted and to be relevant demolition it needs to be:

  1. In a conservation area and;
  2. Not be a building which 74 does not apply by virtue of circular 01/01 (the effect of this is that consent is not needed for the demolition of a building in a Conservation Area where the Secretary of State so directs.)

Demolition of the chimneys would satisfy the first test since the building is located in a Conservation Area. However, as far as the second test is concerned, circular 01/01, in which the Secretary of State has directed that section 74 of the Act shall not apply to various descriptions of buildings in a Conservation Area. Subsequently, the description of buildings whereby section 74 shall not apply would not cover the chimneys.

Thus the removal of the chimneys is considered to amount to development that does not benefit from permitted development rights under the GPDO. An application for planning permission is therefore required, and accordingly a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development cannot be issued.

14/02503/LA | Reduction in height of previously altered chimney. | Penrose Cottage Clifton Down Bristol BS8 3BP

chimney
Granted. Evidence on site shows the existing height of the chimney is due a series of modifications of the stack over lifetime of the building the upper section of the chimney is chiefly due to late nineteenth/early twentieth century alterations rather than the original construction of the building.
The requirements of Section 16(2) of the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 are met by this application in that the works are not considered to cause harm to the special interest of the listed building as the works are confined to repair and consolidation of existing historic material.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are crucial in establishing the character of a building's elevation. Original doors and windows, including their detailing, materials and method of opening make a significant contribution to the character of the conservation area. Typically, Queen Anne and early Georgian windows in Clifton and Hotwells are single glazed, double hung, timber sashes, recessed within the window reveal and painted white. Sashes are usually six over- six, though there are variations to this pattern. Victorian windows are heavier, one-over-one timber sashes with moulded window horns.

Double Glazing Secondary glazing is less intrusive. There are specialist companies.

fanlight fanlight
Fanlights, a means of providing internal hallways with additional light, are generally semicircular and appear in various ornate styles.

Where poor quality replacement doors and windows, especially in uPVC, or roof level extensions have been inserted these have had a significant and detrimental impact on the architectural integrity of individual buildings. Roof-level extensions are particularly detrimental, especially when they interrupt the consistency of a group.
dormer
UPVC windows due to materials, style and frame thicknesses are out of keeping with the architectural character of the Clifton conservation area, which is generally of a high standard.

If the property is a single dwelling house and not listed, then owners can make changes to the windows under permitted development rights (including the installation of Upvc windows throughout). It is only with flats, that have no permitted development rights, where this can be prevented.

Do speak to the Bristol City Council conservation department for advice before embarking on a scheme.

Telecomms boxes

telecomms box telecomms box

The Harlequin Group works with UK mobile networks seek to acquire patches of unregistered land to put up telecomms cabinets for high speed broadband for all service providers not just BT. That way there is no owner to object. There has been much controversy in the past about putting up these large cabinets in conservation areas. The location is within a Conservation Area, the law regarding planning submissions for fixed line broadband cabinets in Conservation Areas was changed in June this year to enable the rollout of the cabinets. The change was to remove the need for applicants to submit a prior approval planning application in these areas for a period of 5 years until 2018.

In the case of Princess Victoria Street, the pavements were too narrow to be used so they thought it would be good to locate it in the middle of the community garden which is on unregistered land, so they put up a notice and photograph on the lamp post and waited for comments. They needed 1 metre round 3 sides for maintenance men to be able to open doors. We were assured that there is no intention to ‘acquire’ all of the land as there is no reason to do so. We were told if the cabinet cannot be located, it would mean that properties in the area would not be able to obtain superfast broadband connections.

Clearly many people wanted to save this garden and a much used, valued residential amenity and many sit on the seats. The residents had turned this neglected open space into a community garden several years ago for the enjoyment of all who pass by. Many people have kept it tidy, added plants, and paid for the seats. We get many congratulations when they see us working there.

I was able to negotiate and get the cabinet to the side rather than in the middle of the garden. We moved all the bulbs and plants from a portion at the side to enable work to take place. The seat can be moved if need be. The cabinet could not be placed parallel to the wall because when the foundations for the concrete base were built, they found a huge rock and did not want the wall to fall down- hence the siting at right angles to the wall.

Bristol City Council then gave us some more soil and we did some weeding. Someone has now put up a sign encouraging people to add plants. Some pansies and primulas and a rain daisy have now appeared.

Solar Panels

solar panels

In the case of listed buildings, the rules are different to other properties. Solar panels can be mounted, but there are more stringent rules which must be followed. Firstly, you will need planning permission from your local authority. This is required to ensure that the fitting of the panels does not detract from the visual appearance of the building and to make sure that it is less likely to be damaged during the building works. The panels also need to be easily removable should anything change in the future which means they are no longer needed. In all cases, the panels must be sited in as unobtrusive area as possible and preferably be free standing as opposed to wall or roof mounted.

Bristol City Council confirm that in most cases, solar panels on houses do not need planning permission. However there are some restrictions, for example:

The installation of Solar Panels and other Domestic Microgeneration Equipment (including ground and water source heat pumps, combined heat and power systems and wind turbines) is covered by Part 40 of the General Permitted Development Order 2008 (amended 2012). These regulations can be read in full at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/675/pdfs/uksi_20080675_en.pdf. Thus planning permission must be applied for when visible in a conservation areas and on listed buildings.

A.1. Development is not permitted by Class A, in the case of solar PV or solar thermal equipment installed on an existing wall or roof of a dwellinghouse or a building within its curtilage if—

(a) the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would protrude more than 200 millimetres beyond the plane of the wall or the roof slope when measured from the perpendicular with the external surface of the wall or roof slope;

(b) it would result in the highest part of the solar PV or solar thermal equipment being higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney);

(c) in the case of land within a conservation area or which is a World Heritage Site, the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be installed—

(i) on a wall or roof slope forming the principal or side elevation of the dwellinghouse and would be visible from a highway; or

(ii) on a wall or roof slope of a building within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse and would be visible from a highway; or

(d) the solar PV or solar thermal equipment would be installed on a building within the curtilage of the dwellinghouse if the dwellinghouse is a listed building.

13/04476/LA, 13/02764/H Installation of eight photo-voltaic panels to the front elevation. | 2 Sion Lane Bristol BS8 4BE

Refused
Whilst the proposal would not appear to result any significant loss of historic material, the PV Panels being mounted atop the existing roof facing the street, would have a visual effect on the building and its sensitive surroundings. With the majority of listed buildings and character buildings within Conservation Areas, the design of the building forms a vital part of the significance of the building as well as impacting on the character and appearance of the location within which the building is sited (including the setting of any surrounding listed buildings). As such maintaining that authenticity and the integrity of their design and constructional elements is a key consideration in any proposals to modify the traditional appearance of listed buildings. The hipped roof of the property is an originally designed feature of the curtilage listed building, and makes a positive contribution to the aesthetic significance of the application site.
The roof of the application site is also clearly visible from south end of Caledonia Place and the pocket of publically accessible green open space at the junction of West Mall, Caledonia Place and Sion Lane. The roof visually sits within the gap left by the end of the West Mall Terrace and junction with Sion Lane thus appearing as a prominent feature through this gap and as a result positively contributes to the setting of the adjacent Grade II* Listed West Mall Terrace and the character of this part of the Clifton Conservation Area.

In the consideration of the above the impact of the proposal on the setting of the adjacent listed buildings the scheme is contrary to sections 16(2) 66 and 72 of the Planning (LBs and CAs) Act 1990. In consideration of section 12 of the NPPF it is clear that the proposal would cause a degree of harm to the appearance of the listed building, the character and appearance of the Clifton Conservation Area and the setting of the Grade II* Listed West Mall Terrace. Having regard to Section 134 of the NPPF, it is considered that in this instance that the public sustainability benefits of the proposal do not outweigh the harm caused to the historic environment.

The proposal would result in an incongruous alteration to the hipped roof of the Grade II curtilage listed property which would harm the appearance of the building and the adjoining listed building at No. 6 Sion Hill. The proposal would also fail to preserve the setting of adjacent listed buildings (Grade II* Listed West Mall Terrace) or preserve or enhance the character and appearance of this part of the Clifton Conservation Area. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies B2, B9 and B18 of the Adopted Bristol Local Plan 1997, Policies BCS21 and BCS22 of the adopted Core Strategy, emerging Policies DM26, 28, 30 and 31 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Publication Version March 2013 and guidance within the Clifton Character Appraisal 2010; the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and national guidance set out in the National Planning Policy Framework 2012.

Historic Telegraph posts

telegraph post telegraph post
Let us know your opinions on this telegraph post. Should it go into a museum or should it stand here and tell its story in situ? Contact Maggie.Shapland@gmail.com

Saville Place

June 2013: Post returned, the split has been welded and it has a nice new coat of paint
saville place

6 Feb 2013: On the 6 February, the distinct large 1842 iron post was at the entrance to Saville Place, looking rather drunken. By the 7th it had gone. The Police have been contacted. I had no idea at the time whether someone recovered it to put it back up, or whether it has been taken by metal thieves. The police could not proceed as I did not know the owner. Guy Bentham-Hill of the Conservation department has been informed, and the maintenance company tell us that the builders have it and it will be restored. CHIS have written to the maintenance company too.

saville place
leaning		 saville place
Edebrook and Field 1842		 saville place
Gone

Satellite Dishes

satellite dish
These obtrusive satellite dishes are on a listed building in Boyces Avenue! Now removed!
Nov 09: Update on satellite dishes
Planning permission is needed for satellite dishes in a conservation area for an antenna installed on a chimney, wall, or a roof slope which faces onto, and is visible from, a road or a towpath. (If you are not sure, get advice from the local planning authority).
If you live in a ‘listed building’ and want to install an antenna on that building, you generally need to apply for ‘listed building consent’. This consent is different from planning permission. You need listed building consent for any antenna that affects the character or appearance of a listed building or its setting.
More detail in Planning Portal - the government's online service for planning.
Jon Bishop, Co-ordinator Planning Enforcement Team Tel: (0117) 922 3004 jon.bishop@bristol.gov.uk

Smoking Marquee

June 2010: finally removed!
June 2009: Erection of marquee to the front of the restaurant. 95 Queens Rd BS8 1LW. enforcement enquiry 09/30289
The matter of the marquee was investigated in June, and nothing has happened since. It is in front of a grade II listed building.
The marquee is still there looking shabbier and shabbier every day, and is stained from the tree as you can see from the photograph. It is not good enough to leave it there much longer. The materials are totally unsuitable, and a good gale will blow it away anyway.
smoking marquee
We are hoping the Council will use their enforcement powers and insist that it is taken down? It is a total eyesore and the owner has had 4 months to do something about it by now. Summer is over and customers will not want to use it much now. There appears to be no sign of a planning application for a more suitable smoking shed.

The Promenade confusion

The Council have been asked that they organise the placing of a street name sign for the road marked "Clifton Down" on the map below -- specifically at the junction of the section of this road that is opposite Cecil Road and at right angles to Canynge Road, just outside the Lord Mayor's Mansion House.
The following is the situation:

Overhanging bushes

At this time of year many streets are partially obstructed by overhanging bushes, and this is especially a problem in wet periods.
overhanging bushes
Owners are responsible for keeping their bushes trimmed. Any problems can be reported to the Council on 0117 922 2100 then press 3. The e-mail address is customer.services@bristol.gov.uk and should be addressed to Mrs M Read. They will deal with bushes overhanging from Council Property, and contact the owners of addresses.
CHIS is printing postcards politely telling owners of their responsibilities"

Victoria Square coat of arms

Aug 09: The horn dropped off the unicorn. No one was hurt, and the coat of arms has been made safe.
Victoria Square coat of arms
The Area Building Control Manager, the Conservation Officer, and a loss adjuster have been to look at it.
The problem seems to go back to repair work undertaken ? 50 years ago, and may be partly due to iron bars - now corroding - put in to hold the carving together.
The owners of 7 and 8 Victoria Square are awaiting a structural engineer's report. One outcome may be the need to redo the whole coat of arms.

Railings

Railings and boundary walls contribute significantly to the character of Clifton. They add interest in the street scene and provide a sense of enclosure.

Early railings have a simple style and then became more and more ornate during Victorian times. Many were lost during WWII for munitions, those to basements were left to prevent accidents.

When railings are repaired, the posts should be lead soldered and individually let into the stone coping, to prevent corrosion of the foot and the original quality of workmanship. Stone should be left unpainted or rendered.

The loss of traditional garden plots and boundary walls, hedges or railings to infill or off-street parking is impacting on the landscape quality and biodiversity value of the area. Where original front gardens have been lost, this impacts negatively on the street scene as well as on the associated dwelling.

CHIS has consistently objected to applications to remove sections of walls to provide parking spaces in the front garden. This is backed up by Bristol City Council Planning Policy.

Lansdown Place good practice example

Lansdown Place
detail 		Lansdown Place
posts being put back into post holes using lead soldering
Lansdown Place
good looking railings again 		Lansdown Place
June 09:Looking forward to seeing these railings back to their former glory
Lansdown Place
sad looking cast iron pillars 		Lansdown Place
Lansdown Place
ivy decorated cast iron pillars 		Lansdown Place
Lansdown Place
railings leaning out 		Lansdown Place
capping stone cut to get railings out

Gates and Gate Posts

There are many designs of gate posts, both iron and imposing stone, both for driveways, paths to the front door, and down to the basement. Limestone posts can erode, particularly with frost damage, and require regular maintenance to avoid irreparable damage.

There is always a symmetrical gap between gateposts in a street, so moving gateposts loses this symmetry and has a large visual impact.

CHIS has consistently objected to applications to remove sections of walls and gateposts to provide parking spaces in the front garden. This is backed up by Bristol City Council Planning Policy. Planning permission is required to move or demolish gate posts.

Telegraph posts

4 May 09: A new telegraph post has been installed in Camp Road, Clifton.
telegraph post telegraph post
Please write
BT Wayleaves Officer PPD 17 Communications House Harlescott Lane Shrewsbury SYI 3AQ
to object to the 9 meter light wooden pole + fittings erected on 15 April in Camp Road. Quote reference SS.MGE.01 and 55.DOPR.11.
One has a right to object to overhead apparatus under section 17, schedule 2 on the Telecommunications Act 1984 within 3 months so do write before July.
This Road is in the Clifton Conservation Area, and we believe that we should be tidying up by removing poles and overhead wires, not adding to the clutter. In that part of Camp Road the cable tv companies have installed cable close to most of the houses - and BT has underground telephone connections for many of them.
BT's action seems a most thoughtless treatment of the streeetscape - even the tarmac channel cut to connect the pole to the nearest BT underground pipe has a bodged appearance, and was cut through the tarmac path relayed by the Bristol City Council only 15-16 months ago in a costly project to provide a smooth walking surface.
We urge BT to remove this pole and provide the connections that it has presumably been errected to supply in the same way as to houses neighbouring the pole - ie underground.

Streetscape information pages

The web pages in the following list give more detail about specific issues.

Examples of Good Streetscape

All show the area is cared for.

Examples of Bad Streetscape

Funny streetscape

Useful websites:

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