Project Summary

• Revitalised an antiquated and of poor visual quality central Town Hall site
• Replaced low quality offices and shops with an award winning comprehensive scheme
• Delivered a modern community facility incorporating exhibition space and consultation rooms
• Created well designed and landscaped public space improving permeability and links

Development Description

The application site lies at the southern end of Keynsham’s High Street and is bounded by Bath Hill to the north and Temple Street to the west. To the south is the fire station site and beyond that the Riverside offices. The redevelopment replaced outdated 1960s buildings, bringing new jobs and investment to the town centre with new Council offices, a Library and One-Stop-Shop, retail floorspace located around new pedestrian streets, a market square, new car parking and highways improvements.

Planning Process

The design of the development was highly respectful of the Montpelier Conservation Area the school resides in. An important dimension of the planning process was mapping out this visual relationship. Bristol City Council concluded the development preseved the surrounding heritage significance. Also, another challenge for the application was the loss of trees the development incurred. Appropriate mitigation measures were successfully negotiated with the Council. Once granted consent, it was opened in September 2011 and won an RIBA South West regional Award and BCSE Award in 2012.