Derelict Bristol lodge reclaimed by nature is 'beyond rescue'

It is at risk of collapse at one of the city’s best-loved green spaces

An historic lodge in danger of collapse at a Bristol graveyard could be demolished and potentially replaced with a community centre.

The charitable trust that runs Arnos Vale Cemetery in Brislington has submitted plans to the city council to knock down the dilapidated two-storey, 19th-century building, which has thick vegetation growing through what remains of the roof.

Top Lodge is opposite the Cemetery Road gates, which are listed and where half of visitors on foot arrive.

In planning documents, Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust said: “The building is in a dangerous condition and, we believe, beyond rescuing.

“The first floor has gone, including the staircase, reducing the structural integrity.

“The south-facing roof has almost gone.

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“The chimney stacks are being dislodged brick-by-brick during high winds.

“There is one crack on the south elevation and a much larger one on the east-facing gable.

“We are concerned that when the building falls, visitors could get hurt and monuments will be damaged.

“Given the location of the building, this could also mean access is restricted to our woodland burial and therefore prevent natural burials from taking place.

“If left unmanaged, the buildings, walls and monuments would ultimately collapse, secondary woodland would colonise all remaining open space, and all graves would become lost in a dense thicket of woodland scrub.

“Eventually, by the process of natural succession, a mature woodland would become established over a desecrated cemetery.

“This scenario does not even have the benefit of improving the wildlife interest of the site; a managed cemetery can be designed to provide a far wider range of habitats.”

The trust said it was about to run public workshops to ask for ideas about what should replace the boarded-up building, and that proposals designed in 2021 were to build a small community centre.

It said: “Although we have two large chapels, they are expensive to heat and staff, pricing out smaller local groups.

“Having a smaller, easier to manage space could prove popular and we want to investigate this with our local community.”