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Gloucestershire Business News

Partnership driving design for life in the city

Gloucester City Council has been working with the Royal Institute of British Architects as it looks build on a pledge to improve the look of the city.

The council approved a Driving Up Design plan in January, aiming to improve the quality of architectural design in the city.

And as part of the project, Councillor Andrew Gravells (cabinet member for planning and housing strategy) has been working with RIBA Wessex regional chairman Tom Bell to deliver recommendations in the plan.

Councillor Gravells and planning officers made a pre-lockdown journey to Bristol to share their thoughts with their counterparts on the city council and to view successful projects.

They toured the award-winning Challender Court with Tom Russell of Emmett Russell Architects with the visit highlighting the opportunities garage and infill developments have to help meet housing need in a high-quality, sustainable local authority-led development.

The group also visited the RIBA South West Building of the Year 2020, Bristol Old Vic.

The theatre's production director David Harraway provided insight into the site and theatre's history, and highlighted how the theatre continues to grow, embrace and be an integral part of the local community.

Afterwards they were joined by the RIBA Bristol & Bath chair Kirsty Pesticcio and met with Councillor Paul Smith, cabinet member for housing at Bristol City Council.

Mr Bell said: "In partnership with local authorities, RIBA architects are creating sustainable, well-designed, and award-winning buildings that are having a positive impact on individuals lives and their communities.

"At this current time and in the coming months, we are needing our local authorities to show leadership and continued commitment to providing high quality, sustainable and well-designed buildings and places, with these exemplar building visits highlighting the value and importance of good design."

Mr Gravells said: "I'm really appreciative of the help and commitment I've had from the RIBA.

"Their enthusiasm and bridge building has helped me enormously in my role here at Gloucester.

"It's a way of working I want to continue and I hope that Gloucester City Council can build on the work we've done so far with our colleagues in the RIBA."

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