Project Summary

• Highly contentious scheme for a new landmark
• Improving a heritage asset in terms of value and access
• Innovative and stunning design
• Subjected to extensive objection and involved a large amount of public consultation
• Went to Planning Committee and was reviewed for final consideration by Sajid Javid

Development Description

Inspired in part by the original drawbridge of the castle, a 78 meter long bridge was proposed to improve the access linking the divided landscape of the famous site. Of particular note is the impressive design of the bridge; composed of two cantilevers, located on either side of the aperture. There is a gap in the overpass’s midpoint; the bridge’s two extents almost meet equidistant from either side. This gap, though only an interspace of centimetres, adds a certain uniqueness to the proposal.

Planning Process

The proposal’s scale and location meant it become a contentious scheme. Pre-empting this challenge, CSJ organised an extensive schedule of stakeholder and public consolidation recognising the perceived social investment and cultural capital connected to heritage assets of this kind. Given the vigour of these debates, the application went to the Strategic Planning Committee. Here, the scheme was found in favour 13-2. This decision was reviewed by the Secret of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, before consent was granted. This process lasted 18 months in total.