Planning U-turn could pave way for rooftop bar at Bristol Harbourside

A U-turn from Bristol’s planning bosses could pave the way for a rooftop bar at the Harbourside – just weeks after it looked likely the plans would be refused.

Planning officers are now recommending that councillors vote to approve the plans for the bar on Bordeaux Quay at a meeting next week.

But Padmanor Investments Limited, which bought the building in 2023, was previously told earlier this month that council planners were likely to recommend the plans be refused due to concerns the terrace would block views of Bristol Cathedral.

The  rooftop terrace would stretch across three bars,  V-Shed, Ritorno Lounge and Coyote Ugly.

The proposals include installation of a large steel pergola structure with retractable canopies and solar panels, together with two single-storey roof extension blocks, housing the stair and lift cores for access to the proposed terrace and glazed perimeter balustrading.

The proposal has been amended during the application to reduce the height of the pergola by 470mm, alter the location of the solar panels and increase the depth and amount of perimeter planting to respond to safety concerns.

The terrace would provide around 325 sq m of external floorspace. An indicative seating plan shows seated capacity of the terrace of some 154 covers.

Green councillor Patrick McAllister, representing Hotwells and Harbourside, gave his support to the plans.

In the planning report he says: “This application will have a positive impact on the leisure and nighttime economies in the area. The rooftop terraces will be an attraction and an asset to the harbourside and the increased custom will help support economic activity. The site is located sufficiently far away from residential buildings that additional impacts to local residents will be limited – this needs to be further
controlled through the licensing process.

“Finally, I acknowledge the heritage concerns that have been stated; however I feel that the negative impacts are mitigated by the revised designs submitted by the applicant and must be weighed against the economic benefits of the proposals. The revised proposals go a long
way towards addressing the heritage concerns regarding views of Bristol Cathedral.

“Additionally, the opening up of the roof to the public will create new prime views of heritage assets and points of interest, such as the Floating Harbour, the Arnolfini, M Shed, Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower, and indeed Bristol Cathedral. I believe that creating these new views from a publicly accessible location will more than outweigh the now-mitigated reduction in view towards Bristol Cathedral from around the Arnolfini. Being able to see these views myself when I was invited to view the site made me eager to enable the whole city to benefit from them.”

Concluding, the planning officers said: “The assessment of this application is considered to be somewhat finely balanced. Planning decisions must be taken in accordance with the development plan unless there are material considerations that indicate otherwise. The report sets out the officer assessment against relevant key issues and it will be noted that in respect of heritage assets, less than substantial harm is identified.

“The less than substantial harm must be weighed against the public benefits. Public benefits have also been assessed, and it is considered that there are benefits, principally economic and environmental which would outweigh the harm identified.

“Significant weight has been placed by officers on the need to support economic growth, considering local business needs and wider development opportunities. Due to the scale and nature of the development, it is anticipated to contribute to the continued vitality of the Harbourside leisure frontage and evening and night-time economy.”

A decision will be made at a development control B committee meeting on April 30.