Brislington Community Partnership – Land Survey Zone 5

Bath Road A4

Sandy ParkRoad

4 – Arnos Vale – St Philips Causeway

Keywords/phrases: Cemetery, history, green space, industrial, commercial, protection

Summary

The best known feature of this area is undoubtedly Arnos Vale cemetery which contains an outstanding array of Victorian crypts, monuments and landscaping. This part of Brislington was forgotten for many years and work is now well underway to attempt to recover the monuments and headstones to their prior glory. Many are listed monuments and as such require careful restoration. Further information on this can be found on the following website

http://www.arnosvale.org.uk/

To the north of this site we find the Avon River which is bordered by light industrial and warehousing some of which (on the North bank) is derelict or empty and would prove to be ideal residential location for modern loft style apartments.

The south bank is occupied by the excellent development; Bristol Paintworks which is an intriguing mix of creative workspace and residential units for small or start-up creative industries in Bristol.

This area is predominantly an area of protection and has already been redeveloped with Burger King, Pizza Hut, Sainsbury’s, ITV West, and the Tram Station being prominent and well-known land owners.

Topography

The A4 rises steeply away from the River heading south and east. The river contours (east-west) are flat.

The A4 road cuts the site in two (east and west) with industrial and warehousing to the west and predominantly residential to the east.

1. Arnos Vale Cemetery

No pending planning applications other than listed monument restoration and tree lopping.

Current Land use allocation: cemetery

This is one of the jewels in Brislington, or more correctly Knowle’s, crown. Having recently been ‘rediscovered’ as a cemetery it is awash with colour and intrigue. All of the modern headstones have an abundance of flowers and are exceptionally well maintained and looked after.

To the rear of the site (which is extensive and covers many hectares of steeply sloping land) there are hundreds of plant infested headstones and graves, which creates a truly unique experience.

It requires careful upkeep and restoration, which it is now receiving, however the funding for this work will continue to be difficult to source and slow to obtain.

2. Cemetery – Bath Road

No pending planning applications other than listed monument, restoration and tree lopping.

Current Land use allocation: cemetery

This is directly opposite the gates of Arnos Vale and is quite clearly a forgotten burial ground. In comparison to Arnos Vale it has been neglected and is becoming overgrown. None of the graves were tended and the central crypt has become vandalised and is bordered up. There is evidence of fire and waste from drinking and drugs related activity.

The entrance gates are impressive and the high stonewall surrounding the south and east of the property is impressive.

3. Housing on Chatsworth Road

Current Land use allocation: residential

Traditional Bristol Victorian terracing leading to cul-de-sac backing on to Peugeot car-sales garage and showroom

Suffers from usual parking problems related to this type of development within Bristol.

4. Sainsbury’s

Current Land use allocation: food retail

Traditional Bristol Victorian terracing leading to cul-de-sac backing on to Peugeot car-sales garage and showroom

Suffers from usual parking problems related to this type of development within Bristol.

5. Black Castle

No pending planning applications

The Black Castle was built in the 1760’s as servants’ quarters and stables amongst other uses to serve Arnos Court house. Built in the form of sham castle it has been used as a farm and market garden during the 19^th century. Later to be converted to a public house. It is presently owned by Scottish and Newcastle Retail and is used as a pub and for warehousing.

The surrounding dual carriage way makes it difficult to access by pedestrians although it is accessible from the Sainsbury’s car park.

The bricking up of many of the windows gives the appearance of dereliction and disuse although it is still in use.

6. ITV West

ITV television centre

7. Car Showrooms and food retail

No pending planning applications

Car showrooms and car-accessible food outlets such as Pizza Hut and Burger King heavily occupy the northwest side of the A4 on this site. The dual carriageway that serves these sites restricts pedestrian movement and inhibits future development from reaching the river easily or potential residential development gaining access to the Sainsbury store.

8. Lane behind Sainsbury’s

No pending planning applications

There is a strip of land that borders the east fringe of Sainsbury’s and residential housing that was once the land of the now disused tramway link.

Although well lit the route block the natural path of residents going to Sainsbury’s by foot and is open to vandalism and intimidation of users by various homeless looking people who frequented the area.

9. Arnos Manor Hotel

The original and extended Arnos Court Manor house was once the reason this area and much of the stable house and other buildings still exist today. Now a hotel and conference room facility with large car parking stretching down the side of Arnos Court Park.

10. Tramway (Bus Depot)

The fabulous Victorian tramway station building is now the front to a bus depot. A shame such a building is not better used by the public given its commanding location, design and history.

11. Arnos Gate

The not so old gate to the Arnos Court estate, recently moved, rebuilt and statues added. It is stuck on the edge of the A4 and rarely used by pedestrians who mostly walk round it. It would feature better as the entrance to a park or recreational feature of Brislington.

12. Retail units on Bath Road

13. Paintworks

An innovative centre for small creative based industries. An excellent example of how sustainable mixed-use developments can create stimulating places. The front half of the site is well defined and developed however the rear of the site remains dormant and unused.

The TV company Endemol is currently sub-letting much of the space and this has caused letting problems however there are currently plans to remodel this as Phase 2 of the regeneration.

More info on the Paintworks scheme can be found here

Planning application 03/02737/F

14. Majestic Wine Shop

An example of one of the many national retail units using the passing trade potential of the busy A4 with sufficient car parking in front of this isolated retail unit.

15. Victorian Terrace on Bath Road

Substantial four and five storey terrace housing on the A4.

16. Burger King

Another example of a retail multiple existing on the A4 and relief roads around Brislington. This site is one of the prime locations on a busy junction in the heart of Brislington next to some historic landmarks. 75% of the land is used for car-parking which during the duration of the survey (circa 3-4 weeks) was hardly ever full.

17. Arnos Court Park

Steep formal park with large frontage onto A4. Backs Arnos court cemetery and is very well maintained as a consequence.