23.09.07 Many thanks to all who helped in the Dighton Street/ Lower Charles Street painting on the week-end of Sept. 8/9. Another fine effort that helps to change the vibe of Stokes Croft.
Below are some images taken throughout the day.
23.09.07. Congratulations to all who responded to the Appeal to influence the Council's Draft conservation area document for Stokes Croft.
The appeal sent out to all the people on the PRSC mailing list resulted in an unprecedented 80-plus responses to the draft conservation document. Guy Bentham-Hill, the conservation officer for Stokes Croft, has said that this response is so strong that it exceeds the remit of the Conservation Officer, and that he will prepare a report to incorporate this response into the Council's general policy. What this actually means, and how the conservation area final document will be amended, remains to be seen... We await with considerable interest, the revised conservation area document...
2.08.07URGENT: Check out The Stokes Croft Conservation Area document to be found further down the page, and please make a comment to the urban design team. This is the key to our making the idea of Stokes Croft as a Cultural Quarter and gallery a permanent reality. And this is serious stuff... We really can make this happen...
URGENT- Draft Conservation Area document... DOWNLOAD
You have until August 24th to comment on this document. We applaud the document in its recognition of the fine street art that characterises the area, but urge the document to go further.
Stokes Croft is an area that is bursting with creative energy, and this should be recognised. All further developments should attempt to preserve this central core, and there should be recognition that the historic fabric of the area can be enhanced by the creativity that resides within the community and that these two aspects can achieve a harmony that is greater than either on its own.
SPECIFICS
1) Stokes Croft should be designated as a cultural quarter. It has a special quality as a centre for the arts. This is crucial to the retention of the unique character of the area and it is vital to preserve this. Conservation areas are not just about buildings.
2) There must be a recognition of the importance of street art (In its widest aspect) to the unique character of the area. Stokes Croft, as already stated, is a designated conservation area, i.e. "an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance" .
It is our belief that the work of local artists and craftspeople will certainly enhance our area. There is a long history of Stokes Croft having painted facades.
3) The Cube Microplex should be acknowledged as a building of special significance having a long history as a key arts venue for Bristol, as well as in its current role as a vital cutting-edge arts venue.
4) In addition, the Cube should have a higher listing in terms of building preservation, the cinema particularly should belisted as an area of historical importance. This will afford it greater protection against possible redevelopment.
3) The nightclubs and live music venues in the area make a strong
contribution to the vibrant creativity of the area, and should be regarded as integral to the special nature of the area.
4) It is our belief that the cultural quarter of Stokes Croft is
its strength and will be an increasingly desirable, even necessary counterpoint to the commercial development that is the New Broadmead.
5) We feel that there should be no presumption that one building necessarily has
merit over another; that all of our buildings are considered to add to the character of Stokes Croft. In this regard, we propose that the Dove Street flats should be considered for inclusion in the Conservation area, and that there should be a strong presumption against demolition of buildings, and that this course should be a matter of last resort.
6) In any new development there should be consideration of its impact on the nature of Stokes Croft as a Cultural Centre. In practical terms, we should be looking for work shops, studios and gallery/performance/community space in all new development to further the status of the area as a Cultural Destination.
We believe that the points made above are all important in preserving and maintaining Stokes Croft's unique place in Bristol's architectural and cultural landscape and strongly recommend that all these points are incorporated into the final document.
To register your opinion either Call Guy Bentham-Hill or Hannah Smith on 01179222960 or 01179222345, or write to :
City Centre Projects and Urban Design Team
Brunel House,
St. Georges Road,
Bristol
BS1 5UY
or E-mail h.smith@bristol.gov.uk or guy.bentham-hill@bristol.gov.uk
PLEASE MAKE YOUR OPINION HEARD! YOU HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 24th...
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24.05.07. Congratulations to all who participated in the painting of the Homeless Hostel hoardings on Jamaica Street. Apologies to all for not having updated the site... Time is short.Next big event will be Jamaica Street Artists Open Studios. Evening of 1st June and then throughout the weekend... Highly recommended.Watch out for more spaces to paint in Stokes Croft. we have several in the pipe line.. |
