Concerns ten-story tower will ‘completely dominate’ historic Gloucester Docks

There are concerns over how the ten-story tower block of flats planned for Gloucester Docks will “completely dominate” the nearby historic buildings.

Rokeby Merchant Developments Ltd was granted permission by Gloucester City Council earlier this week for the restoration and development of a further phase of Bakers Quay.

The scheme will provide a total of 117 flats and includes partial demolition, restoration, development and extension of Downings Malthouse and the High Orchard Street Warehouse.

Architects working on the proposals said they designed the tower to be “unapologetic” about its height as they want to create a new landmark for Gloucester’s skyline.

The plans include the creation of a new basement level in Downings Malthouse accessed from Merchants Road to provide basement car parking and an extension.

And the proposals have a bridge link to Downings Malthouse extension to provide 49 flats and 645.8 square feet of commercial floorspace on the ground and upper floors.

The scheme, which split the planning committee vote in half and was only approved thanks to the chairman’s casting vote, has proven to be controversial with many in the city.

Gloucester Civic Trust, which has been actively involved with the preservation of the city’s unique 19th century docks since its decline as a working port, is among those disappointed that permission was granted.

They are particularly concerned about how the structure will “completely dominate” the grade II listed Downing Malthouse. And they question the need for it to be so close.

Hugh Worsnip, of the Gloucester Civic Trust, said: “We are very disappointed that the tower has been given the go-ahead. We can’t see any reason why the tower has to be so near to the existing listed buildings.

“It just completely dominates the listed building. It appears to the casual observer that there is other space available in that area where it would be better. The hotel which is just across the square from where the tower block is going to be is seven storeys high.

“So there are high buildings there but why they have to site it so near to the existing Downings Malthouse we can’t understand. It’s probably less to do with planning and more to do with finance.

The development, which includes a new building comprising basement ground and nine upper floors on the site of the former Silo and High Orchard Street Kiln, was approved on April 4.

The scheme includes car parking, a ground floor plaza, reception and accommodation linking the building to Downings Malthouse, to provide 68 flats on the ground and upper floors along with extra parking to the south of Downings Malthouse extension.

Developers told the committee that the scheme was “almost certainly” the last opportunity to restore Downings Malthouse.

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

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