}
Bristol Rebuilds
Post-war development reshaped large areas of Bristol but, in spite of good intentions at the outset, delays were caused by disageements on how and where to rebuild as well as a lack of finance.
Before the war Bristol had become an overcrowded place with traffic congestion, out-of-date housing and a mixture of shops and industry, so after the Blitz there was a great opportunity to re-build imaginatively and boldly. The City Architect, J.Nelson Meredith, addressed the Civic Society with these words:
"Bristol should arise anew, noble and strong, beautiful and full of character, with no loss of tradition and glories. Surely it is well worth the struggle and the cost. We must build again - and build better."
Bristol (along with Coventry and Southampton) was chosen to be a test case by the Government to establish what legislation would be required for rebuilding but consultation and objections led to years of delay. Traders wanted to be reinstated in their original location and recreate what they had lost, especially in the Wine Street and Castle Street area, but the City Architect argued this was unambitious.
The Civic Society also objected to the Corporation's desire to acquire a huge tract of land by compulsory purchase order as this included several hundred acres that was "in healthy occupation and which it would be calamitous to destroy." It argued that the area, which contained Georgian buildings and land in no need of rebuilding, shouldn't be part of the redevelopment. The compulsory purchase order was eventually reduced from 771 acres to around 245 acres which was seen as a triumph for the Society but was by no means an end to the controversy.
Eventually, with no government funding forthcoming, Bristol's plans were scaled back - only Broadmead shopping precinct was built and the Castle Street and Wine Street area became Castle Park, which was opened in1978.
Before the war Bristol had become an overcrowded place with traffic congestion, out-of-date housing and a mixture of shops and industry, so after the Blitz there was a great opportunity to re-build imaginatively and boldly. The City Architect, J.Nelson Meredith, addressed the Civic Society with these words:
"Bristol should arise anew, noble and strong, beautiful and full of character, with no loss of tradition and glories. Surely it is well worth the struggle and the cost. We must build again - and build better."
Bristol (along with Coventry and Southampton) was chosen to be a test case by the Government to establish what legislation would be required for rebuilding but consultation and objections led to years of delay. Traders wanted to be reinstated in their original location and recreate what they had lost, especially in the Wine Street and Castle Street area, but the City Architect argued this was unambitious.
The Civic Society also objected to the Corporation's desire to acquire a huge tract of land by compulsory purchase order as this included several hundred acres that was "in healthy occupation and which it would be calamitous to destroy." It argued that the area, which contained Georgian buildings and land in no need of rebuilding, shouldn't be part of the redevelopment. The compulsory purchase order was eventually reduced from 771 acres to around 245 acres which was seen as a triumph for the Society but was by no means an end to the controversy.
Eventually, with no government funding forthcoming, Bristol's plans were scaled back - only Broadmead shopping precinct was built and the Castle Street and Wine Street area became Castle Park, which was opened in1978.