Regeneration of brown field site fronting Two Mile Hill Road, Kingswood, Bristol.
The site originally comprised of a terrace of late 18th century 2-storey shops with living accommodation over and associated rear outbuildings and workshops. The original buildings were listed, however due to dilapidation and concern over public safety consent was granted to demolish the buildings in 2014. The site had subsequently been used for ad-hoc vehicle repairs/salvage and was finally abandoned. It is currently shown to be heavily overgrown presenting a derelict and unsafe frontage to the streetscape of Two Mile Hill.
WDA were commissioned to undertake a feasibility study exploring potential uses for the site which would be informed through analysis of site, heritage, surroundings and commercial viability. The site presented a series of challenging constraints including overshadowing of neighbouring buildings which would significantly affect siting and quantum. The design would also have to address a mixed vernacular whilst co-exist within a changing streetscape of mixed uses and congested traffic/pedestrian movement. Significant improvements to pedestrian and vehicular movement were identified during analysis of the site including pavement and highway realignment resulting inimproved pedestrian movement and legibility.
Initial massing studies identified a hierarchy of scale and form facing the high street with a strong frontage at the intersection of Kennard Road and Two Mile Hill. Form fronting Kennard Road would be 2 -storey ultimately reducing to single storey to reflect the scale of the existing street and dwelling typology. Following a series of pre-application workshop reviews with Bristol City Council’s “City Design Group” a scheme of sensitive mixed residential living typologies were developed that would address the site constraint’s whilst delivering a considered and responsive design solution.
Following a protracted planning process through the pandemic, WDA working with Three Magnets Planning who collaborated with Bristol City Council to successfully receive outline planning consent February 2023.
254– 256 Two Mile Hill Road, Kinswood, Bristol.