New apartments, a riverside café and public realm enhancement.

This constrained industrial brownfield site in Bath lies between the Upper Bristol Road to the north and the river Avon to the south. Sitting within a conservation area, world heritage setting, with sensitive ecology and an adjoining the Grade II listed Victoria bridge, this site presented a number of tricky planning challenges to unlock its potential.

Our collaborative approach led to an imaginative design solution that will serve as a catalyst for the future regeneration of the Northern river frontage improving access for all to the riverwalk.

The landscape design of the site reflects a shared aspiration to create a high-quality public realm that respects the historic context of Victoria Bridge and creates an attractive and flexible frontage to the river and new residential development.

The Café Terrace is set at a transitional point between the Victoria Bridge Road and the towpath. The accessible ramp leading to the towpath is formed from robust Yorkstone paving and seating elements to help create enclosure to the Café Terrace and a south-facing sunny pocket park, activating the river corridor and providing direct views to Victoria Bridge and Bath Western Riverside. The yorkstone seating steps adjacent to the tow path provide an informal seating opportunity, inviting users of the tow path to stop to enjoy the space and views of the river.

The pocket park features a hard working soft landscape with rain garden, that allows for infiltration and attenuation of surface water from surrounding pathways. The semi-mature fastigiate oak trees are underplanted with a mix of sedges and ornamental grasses/bulbs to create a beautiful and biodiverse fringe to the towpath. Alongside the path leading to Victoria bridge ornamental planting includes species-rich mix of grasses, shrubs, herbaceous and bulb planting, providing value nectar sources and habitat for wildlife. Native climbers contribute to vertical greening and evergreen hedgerow provide structure and interest throughout the year.

Project Data

Landscape Architecture: B|D landscape architects

Client: Watkin Jones Group

Architects: Nash Partnership

Status: Completed in 2020