Railway bridge mural at Bridge adjacent to Foregate Street Railway Station, Worcester

What was proposed

The application sought consent for a community-created mural celebrating railway heritage on the bridge’s western abutment.

“This application seeks Listed Building Consent for the installation of a mural on the western abutment of the Worcester Foregate Street railway bridge. Funded by the GWR Customer and Community Improvement Fund, the mural will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Great Western Railway (Railway 200) and is designed to reflect the history and future of rail travel.”

“The materials used are lightweight, and the installation will avoid any damage to the original masonry.”

Officer report

The site

The bridge is a Grade II-listed landmark beside the railway station, prominently visible to commuters and visitors.

“This application relates to the railway bridge adjacent to Foregate Street Railway Station. The Worcester Foregate Street railway bridge is a Grade II-listed structure, originally constructed in 1860 to carry the railway over Foregate Street.”

“The current bridge, which replaced the original, was built in 1906 and has undergone significant restoration, including extensive repairs in 2012-2013 to combat corrosion and preserve its historic features. The bridge is an iconic landmark and a vital part of Worcester’s transport infrastructure, forming an important visual feature in the city. The Worcester Foregate Street railway bridge crosses Foregate Street, one of the main routes into Worcester city centre.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications covered wall-mounted hoarding, bridge repairs and maintenance, and demolition with public landscaping and secured railway arches.

“Planning History 5.1 The site has been the subject of the following planning applications: A98M0093 19/11/1998- Display 1x48 sheet wall mounted hoarding (6.096mx3.048m) Refused…”

“23/00258/DW3 30/06/2023 Demolition of building, public landscaping and making secure exposed viaduct arches. Approval…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the lightweight, reversible installation would avoid physical harm and its public benefits would outweigh limited heritage harm.

“In visual terms, the introduction of the mural would represent a contemporary intervention within the historic streetscape. However, the proposed materials and method of installation have been carefully considered to ensure the proposal is reversible and will not result in any permanent alteration or physical harm to the historic fabric of the bridge. The fixing system allows for future removal without damage, thus preserving the bridge’s material integrity.”

“When applying the heritage balance required by paragraph 208 and 210 of the NPPF, it is considered that the proposal would result in at most a very low level of less than substantial harm to the significance of the heritage asset, arising from the introduction of a modern artwork within the setting of the listed structure. However, this limited impact is clearly outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme, which include:”

Officer report

Who spoke

A council property manager spoke for the applicant, and an arts director explained the artwork’s co-creation and heritage-led design process.

What members discussed

Members discussed community involvement, railway history, design development, maintenance, durability, lighting, graffiti protection and the artwork’s setting.

“It was asked what was envisaged for the lifetime of the artwork? The applicant confirmed that it was going onto Dibond which has a life span of about 10 years plus. It was also asked if the composite panels to be used would be fire resistant and resistant to graffiti. The applicant in response stated that as the panels were aluminium, he did not see an issue with fire. He also stated that the panels would be durable.”

“In response to a question about the inspirations for the design, the Arts Director informed Committee Members that a workshop was being held to discuss ideas and as the artist had a particular interest in the vintage style posters, the final design would reflect these. She reassured Members that there will no doubt be several iterations of the design before it is signed off. Any comments from Members today would also be considered.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The proposal to approve was seconded and passed with nine votes in favour, one against and no abstentions.

“A proposal to approve the application had been made and this was seconded. There being no further points made the Chair requested the voting of each Member of the Committee who were eligible to vote. Following the recording of the votes the proposal was agreed as recommended.”

Minutes

The decision

Listed building consent was granted subject to the recommended conditions.

“RESOLVED: That the Committee grant Listed Building consent, subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report.”

Minutes