SPD 01: Tall Buildings

SPD1 Tall Buildings is a 'Supplementary Planning Document' within the Bristol Development Framework. The document provides a set of assessment criteria that the council will require applicants of all tall building proposals to address in their detailed planning submissions.

SPD1 and associated documents can be found in the related documents section at the bottom of this page.

Status: Adopted January 2005
Price: £10

The supplementary planning document on tall buildings has been compiled in response to the:

• dynamic growth of the city's urban regeneration programme, and
• positive investment in commercial property areas such as Broadmead, Temple Quay and Harbourside.

Tall buildings increasingly are featuring in development applications so it is essential that there is clearer policy guidance that also reflects the views of local people.

The final policy document follows an extensive consultation programme during 2004 under the heading of "Height Matters?" that encouraged public debate on the topic of tall buildings. This included:

• creation of a comprehensive and interactive website
• a series of events hosted by the Architecture Centre, and
• 3000 surveys distributed across the city in public buildings, universities and Bristol College

Consultation revealed support for the new tall buildings in Bristol so long as they are:

• well designed
• sustainable
• distinctive, and
• located to "fit" into the existing urban landscape

A tall building policy was welcomed on the proviso that it set out clearly those areas in the city where they may be acceptable.

The new planning guidance will shape Bristol's future skyline by setting criteria by which future proposals for tall buildings are to be considered.

Bristol's tall building guide is one of the first new style planning policy documents in the country and has already been recognised by national bodies as an example of best practice.

Contact us

For all enquiries on the tall buildings guidance please contact:

Julie Witham
Telephone:  0117 922 4289
Email:   julie.witham@bristol.gov.uk