'We can't have anything nice' - incredulity at rooftop view row (2025)

A glimpse of the cathedral from one of the historic dock buildings will be impaired

People in Bristol have expressed incredulity at the city’s planners, after Bristol Live revealed a project to create a rooftop terrace on one of the historic dock buildings was being opposed by planning officers.

The owner of the V-Shed, the building that currently houses four harbourside bars and restaurants at the heart of the Floating Harbour, wants to create a rooftop terrace for each of the bars which will allow people to access the stunning views of the waterfront and Bristol Cathedral.

But Historic England and the council’s own heritage department are opposing the idea, because the terrace’s pergola shelter will partially block a view of the very top part of the cathedral from a specific spot on the other side of St Augustine’s Reach.

They say the glimpse of the top of the cathedral’s tower over the roof of the V-Shed building from the corner of Narrow Quay by the Arnolfini is one of the most important in Bristol and should be protected, even though opening up a rooftop terrace on the roof of the V-Shed itself will give new and better views of the cathedral for people up there.

The plan is set to go before councillors on April 30 and developers have been told it will be recommended for refusal because of the partial impact on the ‘heritage view’ from the ground.

People in Bristol have reacted with bemusement, particularly because the city council’s planning department has given permission for a series of tall buildings all over the city centre that have filled the skyline from around the city and obscured the views of historic buildings like the cathedral, Cabot Tower and the Wills Memorial building.

Melissa Topping, from Redfield, pointed out the apparent double-standard. “It's OK to have all the ugly student blocks going up blocking our view of four beautiful church spires and gorgeous rooftops, that we used to have, from the top of the hill in east Bristol?” she said.

Aman Khan added: “With everything that’s been done to this area over the past 40 years, there’s nothing wrong with this idea."

“Anyone who wants a look at the Cathedral can stroll over and have plain sight of it. The bars would be well-patronised and ensure the economic future of a well-loved area of the city,” he added.

Yvonne Lambert was equally scathing. "We need more spaces that are elevated for drinking,” she said.

She added: “Not even full swing of summer, and it’s been crazy trying to find a place to drink that isn’t fully booked. People deserve better.

"Not all this bus gate nonsense and clean air rubbish. We need more drinking places with views.”

Paul Mizen responded to the Bristol Live article by pointing out the precedent of development around the Floating Harbour that obscures the cathedral has already been set. “When they allowed a cafe to be built on the waterfront at Canons Marsh, which completely obstructed the views of the Cathedral, a precedent was set,” he said.

“I’m not always in favour of developments that obscure views, as with much of the centre of the city, but this seems minor compared to many,” he added.

One X user (formerly known as Twitter) summed up the response. Tom said: “We can’t have anything nice in this city.”