sea-mills-character-appraisal

CLIFTON SEA MILLS & CONSERVATION HOTWELLSAREACharacter Appraisal6.2 Views6.2.1 The topography of the City is uniqueand views across it make an importantcontribution to Bristol’s townscapeand character. The spectacular citywideviews enjoyed from the Sea MillsConservation Area are fundamental toits special interest. For the purpose ofCharacter Appraisals, four types of viewshave been identified:and parts of the Sneyd Park ConservationArea. Wills Hall and other listed Universitybuildings may be seen in distant views upto the edge of the Downs.Panoramic Views – are wide-reaching views thatextend across the city and beyond.Long Views – are long-distance views across theCity, to key features or landmark buildings. Viewsboth into and out of the Conservation Area fallwithin this category.Local Views - tend to be shorter and confined toa specific locality such as within the ConservationArea. They include views to skylines, locallandmarks, attractive groups of buildings, viewsinto open spaces, and squares, and along streets.Glimpses – allow intriguing glances along intimateroutes or into spaces. They make an importantcontribution to local character.6.2.2 The undulating landscape of theConservation Area and surrounding areasmeans views of all types in all directionsare ubiquitous. Within Sea Mils, thereis a near continual back-drop of views:Kings Weston ridge towards the north andnorth-west. To the west, there are viewsover the Golf Course and ShirehamptonPark. To the south and south-west thereare views of the River Avon and beyondto Somerset, to farmland and to theridge that runs from Leigh Woods northwestwardsvia Abbots Leigh, the churchand houses of which can be seen from SeaMills.Figure 24: Views across the River Trym to theKings Weston ridge beyond6.2.4 Sea Mills is visible in numerous panoramicviews from outside the estate, includingviews and panoramas from the KingsWeston and Trym Valley Conservation Areaand the Sneyd Park Conservation Area.6.2.5 Far-reaching views beyond the extent ofthe Conservation Area’s boundaries playan important part in defining its specialinterest. The low-density, low-risedwellings around its periphery and to thesouth of the Portway allow far-reachingviews into and out the ConservationArea and across the Avon. Preservingthe setting and views out from, as wellas views into the Conservation Area,is vital in protecting its character andsignificance.6.2.3 Panoramic views reach up and down theAvon from various vantage points. Towardsthe east, south-east and north-east, thereare views of Stoke Bishop, Sneyd Park,Figure 25: Long view into Sea Mills fromStoke Bishop © Tim Wallis26. 1.