City Gateway, Bristol

Vistry Partnerships West needed to demonstrate how their 220-home development would appear from key heritage viewpoints following Historic England’s concerns about visual impact. Nicholas Pearson Associates was commissioned to prepare Verified Views for Heritage and Landscape Visual Impact Assessment to help Historic England and planning authorities understand the development’s effect on heritage assets, including the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Ashton Court.

Working in conjunction with Clarion Housing Group, this residential scheme would transform disused railway sidings at Bristol’s former Ashton Gate train station into 220 high-quality new homes, with 98 affordable units representing 44% provision – significantly exceeding local planning policy requirements of 30%.

The Visual Challenge

Historic England commented on the initial application, requesting several key viewpoints be assessed for heritage impact assessment. The authority needed clear visual evidence showing views from heritage assets such as the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and Grade I listed Ashton Court estate.

The 14,500 sqm brownfield site required careful visualisation analysis to address stakeholder concerns and secure planning consent. Photography work presented additional challenges during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, requiring flexible approaches whilst maintaining survey accuracy and professional standards.

Our Visualisation Approach

Nicholas Pearson Associates drew on previous successful collaboration with Inspire Design architects and Vistry Partnerships, bringing proven experience valued by the development team. We worked closely with Avison Young planning consultants and collaborated with Clifton Surveys for precise camera survey work.

Our methodology followed The Landscape Institute Technical Guidance Note 06/19 to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance. The collaborative approach with heritage consultants Matthew Morgan EDP, landscape architects New Leaf Studios, and the architectural team created comprehensive visual assessment supporting the planning application. We needed to show comparison with the initial application to demonstrate design evolution and address Historic England’s specific heritage concerns.

Technical Solutions Delivered

Heritage Verified Views: We created accurate visual representations from multiple heritage viewpoints, particularly focusing on views from the Clifton Suspension Bridge and towards Ashton Court. Each Verified View used precise survey reference points and camera survey data to demonstrate the proposed development’s visual impact on heritage settings, following industry guidelines for heritage impact assessment.

Landscape Visual Impact Assessment Support: Our team prepared comprehensive AVRs (Accurate Visual Representations) that updated the original LVIA following Historic England’s additional requirements. The visualisations showed how the residential scheme would integrate with existing landscape character whilst addressing heritage concerns through realistic landscape representation.

3D Modelling and Survey Work: We developed detailed 3D models of the residential proposals, combining viewpoint photography with precise site survey work. This enabled accurate representation crucial for heritage impact assessment, showing the development within its sensitive historic context. Our surveyor expertise ensured compliance with technical guidance and maintained professional accuracy standards.

Comparative Visual Analysis: We produced comparison imagery between initial and revised applications, helping stakeholders understand design development. When reserve matters applications required updates in 2023 to demonstrate alternative cladding impacts following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, we efficiently updated the Heritage Verified Views to show proposed development changes.

Stakeholder Communication & Outcomes

Our Verified Views enabled clear communication between Vistry, Historic England, and Bristol City Council planning committee. The visual evidence addressed heritage concerns whilst demonstrating how the brownfield regeneration would deliver significant community benefits through high-quality residential development.

The multi-disciplinary collaboration created a comprehensive visual narrative supporting informed decision-making. Planning committee members could assess the development proposals confidently using our accurate heritage impact visualisations, understanding both visual effects and regeneration benefits. Our work facilitated stakeholder understanding of the scheme’s context within Bristol’s historic landscape.

The concept visuals helped stakeholders appreciate how the scheme would transform disused railway sidings into quality homes whilst respecting the sensitive heritage setting around Bristol’s iconic landmarks, enabling successful planning consent through effective visual communication.

Project Impact

Vistry secured planning permission for the City Gateway development in 2021, with construction beginning in 2023 and completion expected during 2025. The successful planning consent validates our heritage-focused visualisation approach and demonstrates effective collaboration between heritage consultants, landscape architects, and visualisation specialists.

The project transforms a brownfield site into 220 high-quality homes, delivering substantial affordable housing whilst protecting heritage settings. Our Heritage Verified Views supported this important regeneration, showing how accurate visualisation can balance development needs with heritage protection requirements.

The experience strengthens Nicholas Pearson Associates’ expertise in heritage impact assessment visualisation, particularly for residential developments within sensitive historic landscapes. This project demonstrates our capability to address Historic England concerns through precise, collaborative visual assessment approaches.

Our work in collaboration with heritage, landscape, and architecture professionals helped identify the best design solutions while addressing stakeholder concerns. The project showcases the value of our visualisations in supporting successful planning applications for complex heritage contexts.

Please contact us to discuss how our visualisation team can help you with your next project