MAKING BRIGHTER WAVES LIVING
Holding a steady course Creative Leadership
Inspired by our heritage, here for our future. Change Real Estate, with its partners ICG Longbow and CFO, are transforming this 3.3-acre site in the heart of Bristol’s historic trading district into a new neighbourhood for living, working, shopping and dining. Creating over 500 jobs and generating £7million for the local economy each year, this £250million development is setting a new benchmark for inner city regeneration.
Find out more at redcliffquarter.com
A development by Change Real Estate
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www.hadleypropertygroup.com
Nick Hutchings nick.hutchings@a2dominion.co.uk specialise in the delivery
HADLEY PROPERTY GROUP PROVIDING DESIGN-LED, SUSTAINABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS SINCE 2003
Patrick Davis Zoe Metcalfe In keeping with Bristol’spatrickdavis@bellhammer.co.uk exemplar reputation as zoe.metcalfe@arup.com
We of high-quality residential-led schemes and have more than 1500 homes in our planning and delivery pipeline.
James Gore jgore@bristolairport.com
a green and progressive city, we are proud to be developing a scheme made entirely of crosslaminated timber, a carbon-neutral material. For more information on this scheme please visit us at hadleypropertygroup.com/properties/ bath-road-bristol
Jez Sweetland jez.sweetland@bristolhousingfestival.org.uk
Kathryn Pennington kathryn.pennington@gallifordtry.co.uk
BRISTOL PARTNERSHIP Supporting Bristol City Council
Through the cultivation of partnerships with local authorities, registered providers and key public sector stakeholders we are helping boroughs meet housing targets in the following areas:
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Tom Stanley tom.stanley@knightfrank.com
Clare Wildfire clare.wildfire@mottmac.com
Jonathan Bower jonathan.bower@wbd-uk.com
Shelley Cook shelley@3foxinternational.com
Ron Persuad ron@changerealestate.co.uk
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www.hadleypropertygroup.com
We specialise in the delivery of high-quality residential-led schemes and have more than 1500 homes in our planning and delivery pipeline.
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In keeping with Bristol’s exemplar reputation as a green and progressive city, we are proud to be developing a scheme made entirely of crosslaminated timber, a carbon-neutral material. For more information on this scheme please visit us at hadleypropertygroup.com/properties/ bath-road-bristol
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We know Bristol Bristol is special. It has a joie de vivre that is wonderfully infectious and a unique way of making things happen. Arup has been at the heart of Bristol for almost 45 years. Our planners, placemakers, economists and engineers work collaboratively with clients and communities to deliver real value for this growing city with big dreams.
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Issue Two
6 News
Development updates in Bristol. 14 Civic Leadership
Bristol’s One City Plan, led by mayor Marvin Rees, has engaged a range of stakeholders in its future. 20 Production
With Channel 4 coming to Bristol, the city is now one of the UK’s premier production hubs. 26 Heritage
istoric concert halls and theatres H are being transformed. 31 Transport
Improving road, rail, walking and cycling for a growing population. 34 Housing festival
he Bristol Housing Festival will run T for five years and aims to explore new innovations to bolster the city’s offer. 39 Sport
Exploring the burgeoning provision of grassroots facilities and activities. 45 Projects
Reports on regeneration schemes. 54 City Leap
A sustainable city is high on Bristol City Council’s agenda.
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elcome to the spring 2019 issue of Bristol Is. I’m sure you’ll find the articles both interesting and instructive. This issue covers a number of the latest developments in Bristol and sets them in the context of a progressive, innovative and creative city. Through its One City Plan, Bristol is bringing together some of its best collective thinking to set a pathway for the future – a future that will present many opportunities and benefits for the whole city. This magazine explores some of these opportunities and how we are setting out to realise the benefits.
Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF James Renoux-Wood DESIGN Kate Harkus PRODUCTION MANAGER Christopher Hazeldine PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Mia Wicks BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Paul Gussar SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Shelley Cook PROJECT MANAGER Sue Mapara SUBSCRIPTIONS MANAGER Simon Maxwell MANAGING DIRECTOR Toby Fox FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT: Chris Hackett & Kevin Slocombe, Bristol City Council PRINTED BY Stephens and George Print Group PUBLISHED BY 3Fox International, Sunley House, Bedford Park, Croydon CR0 2AP T 020 7978 6840 W 3foxinternational.com SUBSCRIPTIONS bristol-is.co.uk COVER: Upfest street art, photo by Stephen Hyde / Alamy Stock Photo IMAGES: @Jon Craig Photos, Chris Bahn / Bristol Design, Channel 4, Jon Jerrome, Charlotte Boyle, BBC / Mammoth Screen, Grimshaw Architects, Dominika Scheibinger, Metrobus / First West of England, Nicky Boogaard (CC BY 2.0), Jon Rowley, Sigh Rendall-Jones / Bristol Housing Festival, Ibolya Feher, Hywel George, SUP Bristol, Wesport, Bristol Bisons RFC by Kenneth Macharia, DTR Photography / Alamy, Sport England, Zara Hadid Architects, Finzel’s Reach image by The White Balance ©2019 3Fox International Limited. All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of 3Fox International Ltd is strictly forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of 3Fox International Ltd.
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BRISTOL IS NEWS
ASHTON RISE WORK BEGINS Building work has started on a new 133-home social housing development at Ashton Rise in Bedminster. The development is the first of its kind for Bristol City Council: 80 of the homes will be sold to private buyers and the profits used to build the additional 53 new council houses on the site. There will be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses, and one and twobedroom apartments. Plans also include a plaza, which would integrate the new metrobus stop, as the South Bristol Link Road is located on the north-west side of the site. The contractor is Willmott Dixon, which is also behind the Finzels Reach redevelopment in Bristol.
DERELICT BUILDING MAKES WAY FOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS Demolition work is under way on the derelict former Royal Mail sorting office, marking the start of the £300 million University of Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. The campus, which is due to open in 2022, will span the plot and part of neighbouring Temple Island. It will provide teaching, research and innovation space for 800 staff, external partners and 3,000 students, with accommodation on-site for up to 1,500 undergraduates and postgraduates. The building was once a sorting office, handling 75,000 items a week. It ceased operations in 1997. Marvin Rees, the mayor of Bristol, said: “This eyesore building has been a blight on the landscape for too long – its demolition will be the start of a new chapter for the area. “The redevelopment of the Temple Quarter will help deliver the gateway the city deserves, as well as regenerating the area with thousands of new homes and jobs.”
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ARENA PLANS TO TAKE OFF Malaysian developer and utilities provider YTL has revealed plans for a 16,000-capacity arena in the Filton area of Bristol, which would be the third largest in the UK. If plans are approved, the arena would be part of a wider, multimillion pound privately funded development, including 2,600 homes and a new railway station by the venue. YTL bought the Filton airfield in 2015, with plans to build a new city district around the two-mile runway, where both Concorde and the giant 1950s airliner, the Bristol Brabazon, were developed. With an area of 10ha, the three interlinked hangars are one of the largest continuous footprints in Europe, and could fit London’s O2 Arena inside. The firm is currently appointing a design team for the project. Once designed, the scheme will be presented as a detailed planning application in summer 2019. If successful, YTL is committed to building an arena in the city by autumn 2022. Plans for the central Temple Island site were set to one side in September 2018, following the ‘value for money’ report requested by Mayor Marvin Rees, in the face of spiralling costs. The two-hectare site will instead be home to a mixed-use development of a 345-room hotel, 550 new homes – including 220 classed as affordable – and two ‘grade A’ office buildings.
BEDMINSTER HOUSING BOOST Plans to build a housing development, just behind a major road in south Bristol, have been given the green light. The 59 one and two-bedroom flats and eight terraced houses in Bedminster would all be classed as affordable. Focused around a small triangular area of public open space with children’s play area, the three blocks would range from three to five storeys.
Councillors unanimously approved the plans. Bishopsworth councillor Richard Eddy said: “All too often we struggle to get even 20% affordable housing for developments and often even less than that. I also know how sustainable a location it is with walking and cycling as well as a bus route and train station. It would be almost impossible to find a more sustainable site.” →
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JOINT VENTURE PARTNER SOUGHT FOR COUNCIL’S HOUSING COMPANY Bristol City Council is seeking a joint venture partner to develop the first two sites through its new housing company, Goram Homes. The two schemes will deliver 400 homes between them. The first, at Romney House, has outline planning permission for 268 flats and houses. It is located on the site of a former school and offices in the north Lockleaze area, next to the large and expanding University of the West of England main campus. The second, dockside scheme will include 120-140 homes, as well as riverside commercial space. Both are expected to include up to 40% affordable housing, including social housing and shared ownership. The housing company was created in September 2018 as part of Bristol mayor Marvin Rees’s plan to build 2,000 homes a year – 800 of them affordable – by 2020.
HOMES FOR REDCLIFF QUARTER The second phase of the Redcliff Quarter is now on-site, providing 188 homes for private rent, and will complete in June 2020. The whole 1.3-ha regeneration scheme will comprise 246 homes, along with cafes, restaurants, a hotel, food court, shops and offices, and is a joint venture between A2Dominion, Change Real Estate, ICG Longbow and Cannons Family Office. A2Dominion has also been working with Bristol City Council and Bristol University to develop student accommodation and affordable homes on Malago Road in Bristol. The residential property group has submitted proposals to the council to develop 550 student rooms and 49 affordable homes, with a planned start date of summer 2019, and completion in autumn 2021.
The council approved a strategic business case for the housing company in March 2017. Goram Homes, wholly owned by the council, will manage larger projects, with smaller projects allocated to housing association partners. The first schemes will be joint ventures with a development organisation, drawing on expertise in the field, and sharing in the financial returns from the project, which could then be re-invested to accelerate further development of new homes. Councillor Paul Smith said: “We are not interested in working with speculators who only want to make quick money and disregard people’s needs. The company will give the council greater influence over what is built and when so we can ensure developments provide good quality homes that best suit the needs of the local community.”
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ONE CITY, SIX THEMES, MANY VOICES BELL RINGS FOR START TO ASSEMBLY Real estate investor AXA Investment Managers and developer Bell Hammer are about to start work on the initial phase of the 27,000sq m mixed-use Assembly Bristol regeneration project. Constructed by main contractor Galliford Try, completion of Building A, which comprises 18,000sq m across 11 storeys, is due in 2020. The scheme is located with Temple Quarter and within easy reach of Temple Meads train station. The innovative building, designed by AHMM, comprises multiple uses, and a range of flexible office spaces designed for both local and global businesses. It includes assets such as natural light and high ceilings, outside space on every floor, opening windows, a managed and shared roof terrace and end-of-trip cycle facilities. It will be completed at the same time as a major new waterfront public space.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees launched the city’s first ever One City Plan in January, setting out targets for Bristol decade by decade until 2050. Partners from the city’s business, charitable, academic and public sectors all contributed to the first draft of the plan, which aims to make Bristol fair, healthy and sustainable with reduced inequality. There is a vision for each decade, along with six priority themes: health and wellbeing, economy, homes and communities, environment, learning and skills and connectivity. The document is at pains to point out that One City is an ever-evolving collaboration, and an attempt to focus the city on a series of outcomes, rather than a set of unchanging rules. More on the One City Plan, page 14.
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LIVING THE HIGH LIFE Work is set to start this month on what will be Bristol’s tallest residential building, at 26 storeys high, after planning permission was granted in December 2018. Construction work on the 375home building is to be carried out by contractor Bouygues UK, with completion scheduled for 2022. The 16,200sq m Castle Park View, overlooking Castle Park, Bristol’s largest city centre green space, is being led by government housing agency Homes England on brownfield land it owns jointly with Bristol City Council. It will be developed by Linkcity with M&G Real Estate and Yarlington Housing Group. Designed by Chapman Taylor on the site of a former ambulance station, it will deliver some of the first dedicated built-for-rent homes in Bristol city centre. M&G Real Estate will own and manage 300 one and twobedroom private rented sector homes apartments, as part of its UK residential property fund. Yarlington Housing Group own and operate the remaining 75 one, two and threebedroom apartments.
DISABILITY SERVICE COMMENDED A supported living service for people with learning disabilities in Bristol and South Gloucestershire has been rated outstanding in a Care Quality Commission report. This comes on the back of two other ‘outstanding’ reports for the charity Milestones Trust, one for Flaxpits House, a shared home for younger people with learning disabilities in Winterbourne, and another for 50 Vassalls Road, a shared home in Fishponds, Bristol, for up to six people with learning disabilities.
WOMBLING FREE Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson is strengthening its position in Bristol with seven new appointments to the real estate team, after receiving new instructions from the expanding development sector. It also shared its expertise at two conferences in the city last October, hosting its first event in the Real Estate Quarterly Talks series, discussing the issues affecting residential development. This included proposals for leasehold reform, and speaking at the first Global Parliament of Mayors Annual Summit.
Redcliff Quarter, Bristol
A2Dominion has a strong presence in Bristol’s property market with over 750 homes currently in management. A2Dominion is working with Redcliffe MCC LLP (a joint venture between Change Real Estate, ICG Longbow and Cannon Family Office) to deliver new homes for PRS at Redcliff Quarter as part of a 3.3 acre regeneration scheme close to Bristol Temple Meads station. The first phase of Redcliff Quarter created 128 new homes for private market rent and the scheme has now moved on to phase 2, building a further 118 homes. A2Dominion is marketing both phases for private rent under the FABRICA by A2Dominion brand. Being a regulated, financially-secure residential property group, A2Dominion is able to provide our customers the peace of mind that their property is managed by a professional landlord, with the very best in customer care. a2dominiongroup.co.uk
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21 century st
municipal enterprise
Bristol City Council is adopting some of the innovation and enterprise for which the city is well known. In the last few years, the council has established three wholly owned companies to deliver much needed services and offer new revenue streams to the cash-strapped local authority. Here we explore two of these new companies – Bristol Energy and Goram Homes. Both are examples of Bristol City Council opting to invest in services that meet real and pressing issues facing its citizens, while also protecting other services from death by a thousand cuts.
Goram Homes and council housing Named for a mythical Bristol giant, Goram Homes is one half of Bristol City Council’s drive to deliver more homes in the city. The other half comes from the recent lifting of the Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap, which will allow the council to invest in large numbers of new council homes. Goram Homes itself, a whollyowned council vehicle for housing development, was officially launched in October 2018. It has an ambition of becoming Bristol’s largest housing developer and a mission to accelerate home building across the city and beyond. Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “The shortage of affordable housing
is one of the biggest challenges facing the city and one that we tackling head on. Building quality housing is vital to making things happen in the city and improving the quality of life for the people who live here.” Goram’s first schemes, at former city council offices, Romney House in Lockleaze, and the old Baltic Wharf Caravan Club Site, on the
Habourside, will be joint ventures with development organisations yet to be identified. Lifting the HRA cap will enable the council to bring forward ten schemes by 2022. These schemes will add a combined 400 council homes and will be the first step towards a more extensive building programme in future years.
Three years since its creation, Bristol Energy is forging ahead with its plan to support Bristol City Council in creating a different kind of energy provider. One which has community at its heart and focusses on driving profits for a purpose. Recently, Bristol Energy won the council’s main electricity contract, which means the city is now running on a high proportion of renewable, local fuel sourced from the city’s wind turbines and solar panels in Avonmouth, providing an additional revenue scheme for the council and more local, green power generation for Bristol. The company’s Fuel Good Fund has been gathering pace, supporting vulnerable residents around the city. Bristol Energy are committed to buying local and community renewables and have direct relationships with over 50 generators. They work in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy and local charities to deliver meaningful impact to Bristolians. This February, Bristol Energy has become the first energy supplier to trial selling ‘heat as a service’ with households in the UK, rather than selling kWh. The heat plan trial is an important step in Bristol Energy’s journey to creating energy products which are fairly priced for everyone, support sustainable energy supply and the decarbonisation of homes and businesses. Bristol Energy is committed to supporting Bristol to hit their ambitious social and environmental goals set out in the one city plan. Marek Majewicz, Bristol Energy Interim Managing Director commented: “This is the start of an exciting new phase of growth for Bristol Energy. My message to every consumer and business owner in Bristol is this is your energy company – join us to help us reinvest back into Bristol community.”
www.bristol-energy.co.uk
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BRISTOL IS ONE CITY
COME TOGETHER Bristol’s One City Plan is focused on collaboration, community engagement and stakeholder participation to bolster the city’s prospects and encourage a culture that fosters talent and opportunities for all. Karen Jensen-Jones speaks to the man leading on the plan, mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees
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IT IS AMBITIOUS, BUT IF YOU CREATE THE RIGHT CONDITIONS AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE INNOVATIVE AND BOLD, THEN THEY’RE MORE WILLING TO COME FORWARD WITH IDEAS
Pictured Businesses, charities, educational representatives and the public sector meet up to discuss the One City Plan.
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hen thinking about Bristol’s future, there are worse options than looking to one of the world’s most famous cities. Inspired by New York’s OneNYCPlan, a new initiative is set to shape important issues such as health and wellbeing, education and skills, communities, growth, transport and infrastructure. The One City Plan, devised by Bristol’s mayor Marvin Rees, is an ambitious, collaborative approach to aligning partners across the city in a shared vision for Bristol up to the year 2050. “The idea of the One City plan has been with me since 2010 when I was director of Bristol’s local strategic partnership,” explains Rees. “The question that kept coming to mind was ‘how could our city become more organised?’ I recognised that many of the challenges facing Bristol could only be solved through collective actions. We needed collective impact for a fair, healthy and sustainable city with reduced inequality.” Following his election as mayor in 2016, Rees organised a city gathering of partners from businesses, charitable organisations, academic institutions and the public sector, to consider what could be achieved in Bristol using their collective power. These gatherings now take place every six months and are clearly gathering momentum. “I had the platform when I became mayor to bring people together and realised when I looked around that we had a lot of resources between us and that a shared vision and collaborative approach would be an incredibly powerful tool for our city,” remembers Rees. “The One City Plan is looking ahead to where we want to be in 2030, 2040 and 2050 and defining the sequence of challenges and opportunities that we need to identify to deliver our promises. It’s a very clear plan, but it’s not perfect and it’s open to debate and change, which is a very important part of the strategy.” With collaboration at the heart of the One City Plan, Rees has organised six boards to prioritise health and wellbeing, economy, homes and communities, environment, learning and skills and connectivity. “Take an issue like mental health,” says Rees. “We need to invest in the mental health of the children in our city. We need to deliver the homes and schools to deliver their education. In this wider joint venture, we’ll create strong and resilient entrepreneurs and people who innovate and who can cope with failure. Employers want a strong workforce, so investing in mental health today pays off in the future. It’s in our vested interest to reach into each other’s organisation and make sure we’re all working in a way that benefits the common good.” Despite strong support from business leaders and the wider community, Rees admits it’s an ambitious and challenging initiative. “One of the challenges we faced initially was getting people to put ideas forward for future projects that will take time and debate to come to fruition. There were many short-term ideas for the next couple of years, but the previous culture had not allowed people to look far enough ahead and have the confidence to be innovative. “Between 2020 and 2050, we plan to build 60,000 new homes in the city, of which 24,000 will be affordable. By 2040, we aim for all 16 year-olds to have the right to vote and our plans for 2050 include a 70% reduction in premature
THE ONE CITY PLAN IS LOOKING AHEAD TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE IN 2030, 2040 AND 2050 Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol
deaths attributed to air pollution, access to primary care to be available seven days a week day or night and high-speed rail links connecting Bristol with other cities. “It is ambitious, but if you create the right conditions and allow people to be innovative and bold, then they’re more willing to come forward with ideas. What’s important is to identify the challenges and keep looking for answers and that it’s OK to get it wrong, as long as you engage in further debate. We’re also keen to invite some of the funders coming from outside Bristol to the city gatherings so they too can be part of the conversation. It’s an important message to give to investors, who might go elsewhere, that they will have a voice in Bristol.” The approach has won Rees many supporters which include the city’s universities. Robin Hambleton, emeritus professor of city leadership at the University of the West of England, expressed his views at the latest city gathering in January 2019. “I think things are changing in Britain and city universities are becoming more engaged in local problem solving,” explains Hambleton. “We have many assets, including scholars, academics and staff, who are keen to make contributions for the good of our city. Working alongside the University of Bristol, Marvin [Rees] has prospered joint collaboration on active research and working with others to develop the collective intelligence of Bristol. I find the city gatherings are very encouraging, with such a good mix of business, trade unions, activist organisations, religious communities, professors and scholars from different disciplines. It’s very impressive and something I’ve only ever come across in the United States.” Creating positive action through research and collaboration, Hambleton has set up his own initiative, The Bristol Forum, to support the mayor’s plan and bring together researchers and organisations from across the city. “Our first forum takes place in March, with 250 participants, including academics, students and civic activists taking part. Our broad aim is to share intelligence and
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create new opportunities, enabling us to pass on our work With a clear vision in the One City Plan, Rowberry believes and feed research findings and suggestions into the ongoing drawing on collaborative expertise will create a more equal development of the One City Plan. And on another level, and sustainable city. this is of great benefit to the scholars and students at our “City Funds has a clear alignment with the One City Plan universities who are engaging directly with local problems and the point is to offer support to those who really need and challenges.” it,” he says. “There’s a very big global shift of capital towards Rees has also drawn on the support of Ed Rowberry, socially responsible investment and we are part of Bristol’s the chief executive of Bristol and Bath Regional Capital, a network to make that happen, both now and in the future.” community-minded investment company based in – and Rees points out the importance of planning ahead and dedicated to – improving communities in the West of England. an ongoing dialogue in order to reap the rewards for the city “About two years ago, Marvin [Rees] suggested we co-ordinate in the future. “If we say we want to reduce domestic violence around shared agendas and it made a lot of sense to me,” and abuse by 50%, it’s not possible to achieve that in just a explains Rowberry. “If our job is to year’s programme,” he says. “We raise investment and resource for the have to make a start and build on our city and the region, it’s going to be progress year-by-year. easier if the city and the region are “Each year we’ll learn and clear about what they want to do and know more as we work towards the when they want to do it by. solution to make lasting change. It’s “There will be cases where the a very varied plan, which touches AFFORDABLE NEW HOMES private sector will fund a project on the many issues facing our city PLANNED BY 2050 and others where the state will today. Ending poverty, getting every provide funds, but what about those child access to work experience innovative projects holding the and providing a decent living wage middle ground? If we can be a ‘first brick funder’, showing are just some of the challenges we will embrace together by leadership, then maybe other investors will join down the sharing our stories. We should be saying we want every child line in order to further the city plan, which has collaboration to grow up in a stable home and that means we need Homes at its heart.” and Communities to provide more homes,” explains Rees. Bristol and Bath Regional Capital is launching City Funds “When they’ve written their plan, the next stage is to listen to in the spring, which will amount to £10 million and could each other’s stories and work together. My sense of the plan is have a catalytic effect. quite basic, but we’ll refresh it every year and it will get more “If there’s a community group that’s leading on sophisticated. If the boards aren’t joined up and they’re not community-led housing or community-led energy, then they listening to each other, then the plan won’t work. We want will initially need help with investment,” explains Rowberry. people to be fighting in a positive way together and to argue “Their initiative may be to produce their own homes or together where their priorities should be.” energy through a wind turbine or there may be an enterprise With this collaborative and dynamic approach and that employs local people or a community facility that needs commitment to sustainable and lasting change, Rees’ plan rejuvenating. These are the types of initiatives we will help is well on target to realise his vision of a fair, healthy and and are currently exploring.” sustainable city. b
24,000
Pictured The One City Plan aims to engage Bristol’s communities in its future.
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An impressive waterfront development in the heart of the city, Assembly Bristol offers a range of unique spaces and offers up to 316,000 sq ft, with office floorplates ranging from 3,709 sq ft to 22,725 sq ft. Ideally situated in the city’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, Assembly Bristol’s flexible design and occupier-led scheme will create a community-based workplace with unique character and a wealth of amenities. It’s made for Bristol and made for business.
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FOUR IS A MAGIC NUMBER Bristol has been announced as the location for one of Channel 4’s new “creative hubs”, adding to a rich mix of film and TV production companies and placing it among the UK’s foremost creative cities. Noella Pio Kivlehan reports
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All’s well that ends well, that’s what I say,” declares TV and film production has been worth more than Wallace to Gromit in the 1993 film The Wrong Trousers. £235 million to Bristol’s economy since 2003 and the news of The loveable animated characters may fictionally hail C4’s arrival could boost this further. Mayor of Bristol Marvin from Lancashire, but as those in the know and local Rees, hails the “fantastic news”: “It will help build on our residents like to point out, they’re made in Bristol, created by existing thriving media industry and wealth of local talent,” Oscar-winning animation studio Aardman. he adds. “Bristol is a city that pushes boundaries, questions Towards the end of 2018, the city’s bid to entice one of the the norm and actively nurtures a strong culture of creative country’s leading broadcasters to the city certainly did end and digital innovation – we know Channel 4 will feel at home well, when – despite losing to Leeds as the preferred choice here. We look forward to welcoming [it] to the city.” for Channel 4’s (C4) new base the previous July – Bristol was For the past two decades, the city has been establishing an selected, along with Glasgow, as enviable reputation for television one of two new UK “creative hubs” and film production, taking off for the channel, beating Cardiff, when Bristol Film Office was Manchester and Birmingham in founded in 2003. Along with the process. the globally successful Aardman C4’s move is part of its plan studios, it is home to a plethora of to relocate 300 of its 800-strong media companies and production TV & FILM’S CONTRIBUTION TO workforce from London to regions bases (as reported in the first BRISTOL’S ECONOMY SINCE 2003 across the UK. The channel issue of Bristol Is) including released a statement on why The Bottle Yard Studios, where Bristol was chosen, stating: “There popular TV programmes such as is the opportunity to build on a thriving television production Poldark and Broadchurch have been filmed. sector in the city, which has world-renowned factual Film production is “a really thriving sector,” says Lynn producers and also has strengths in areas such as animation Barlow, assistant vice-chancellor for the creative and cultural and digital production. industries engagement at the University of West England “Establishing a creative hub in Bristol gives Channel 4 the (UWE), Bristol, and the woman helping shape strategic policy opportunity to build on thriving production communities and external partnerships with the industry as a freelance in the city...Bristol put forward exciting proposals to executive producer. establish new social mobility initiatives to work with diverse Barlow was instrumental in bringing stakeholders communities across the city and bring through new talent together to help C4 recognise the city as an attractive into the industry.” prospect. She says: “We must have around 145 production
£235m
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BRISTOL IS PRODUCTION
THE FESTIVAL CROWD
Film festivals are a popular fix in Bristol and focus on a range of disciplines and subjects, from short film and animation at Encounters Film Festival in September, to the Wildscreen wildlife documentary festival every other year in October. There are also individual festivals for Palestinian and African cinema. But Bristol is not just a city for film. Melissa Inman, senior events officer in the council’s arts and events team, says: “The city welcomes all types of events, from small community activities, to large commercial festivals that create a sense of place, attract investment and provide jobs.” Among the most popular and largest events include the Bristol Harbour Festival, which is this year in its 48th year and will be held at the end of July. The festival celebrates the city’s maritime heritage. There is also the much-loved Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which takes place in August. Inman says the council’s arts and events team supports the development and delivery of citywide festivals and events and plays “an integral role in contributing to, supporting, developing and advocating for the festival and events sector in the city”. This is in line with the city’s cultural strategy and Bristol City Council’s priorities, says Inman, and “ensuring Bristol continues to be one of the UK’s leading creative cities”. Funding and support for the work of Bristol festivals comes from the council’s Cultural Investment Programme. Imman says this involves “the sustainable and strategic development of festivals and events in Bristol – and comprises a network of more than 30 leading Bristol independent festival and event organisers, for the benefit of the widest range of audiences in the West of England”.
Pictured clockwise from top left The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta; Aardman’s Morph; Shaun the Sheep and Films@59’s studios.
companies [here], doing all sorts of things from visual effects, audio and editing. The denser and bigger the scale of the industry helps. Bristol is having a moment. We’re on good foundations and that means Bristol is a great place for Channel 4 to set up home.” Where C4 will be based has not yet been revealed. “There is plenty of speculation, but we have not announced it officially,” says Vicky Taylor, deputy head of press and publicity, corporate and commercial for C4. But Harry Allen, associate director, office agency team for Savills in Bristol, and the agents charged with finding C4 its Bristol premises, reveals the new hub will be based at a prime city centre scheme – “a new building with a very impressive environment, which will make a statement”.
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BRISTOL IS CULTURE
THE BOTTLE YARD STUDIOS
The importance of C4 locating itself in the city centre rather than areas where creative organisations have more traditionally been located – around Whiteladies Road (home to the BBC), or Whitchurch Lane in south Bristol, for example – cannot be understated, says Allen. He says: “It’s good C4 has gone to the city centre rather than being on a business park or in Clifton, where the BBC is located. In the centre, there is more stock, and others can relocate around them. There will almost certainly be a draw [to other businesses] with C4 being there.” And this is already happening. “There is a marketing company which is coming from London and likely to be in same building – and C4 is certainly a major reason [why it might come]. The company is an office of 30 people, which is a decent chunk of employment coming to Bristol. There’s a whole host of agencies vying for C4’s business.” Allen says that companies already established in Bristol, such as Films@59 and Plimsoll Productions, are looking for additional space. “If you put that in context with C4 coming to Bristol, it paints quite a nice picture,” he says. Although C4 opening an office in the city is a major scoop, the broadcaster is not seeking a huge base – just 470sq m, says Allen: However, he adds: “We often see companies relocating either a back office or a satellite office from London to Bristol, and five years later they double in size, and before you know it they have 200 staff based here. I suspect C4 will go the same way.” For Barlow, regardless of where the broadcaster will be based, the move will be a huge chance to engage Bristol’s young population. “We have talked about offering opportunities for young people to get into this line of work, and making sure these are open to all and it is not an enclosed sector,” she says. “I don’t think it is, but I think there is a lot more work we can do. We talked a lot about diversifying the industry, which Channel 4 has historically been good at, both on and off screen, but there is of course always more work to be done.” A spirit of collaboration and creativity has no doubt persuaded C4 of the value in Bristol. Another quote from a Wallace & Gromit film – 1995’s A Close Shave – best sums this up: “Brilliant teamwork, lads!” b
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Take Poldark, Wolf Hall and Broadchurch: three of the biggest TV series of the last decade. Add in Sky TV’s Fortitude and game shows Tipping Point, and Deal or No Deal, and what you have is just a few ingredients in the mix of what is made at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol. The studios opened in 2010 as a joint partnership with Bristol City Council, on nearly 30,000sq m which was formerly the production site of Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry. They have hosted more than 50 productions, helped generate £15.2 million for the city last year, and created 470 jobs on-site in 2018. Its creative hub is now home to 23 tenant businesses. And the studio’s success will allow it to expand. In December 2018, the council bought property at Hawksfield Business Park, just half a mile from the studio’s current home at Whitchurch Lane, for this purpose. As well as extra space, there is also the need to safeguard current levels of production activity while the Hengrove Park building works take place. Hengrove Park is a 75-ha former airfield south of Bristol, where there are plans to develop around 1,500 homes. “This step will enable the studios to update its facilities and increase its capacity to include two new studio spaces,” says Tara Milne, PR and marketing consultant for The Bottle Yard Studios, and Bristol Film Office. Milne adds that the council passed a decision to purchase land at Hawkfield Business Park as the first phase of this development, and planning is now under way for the next phase of this process, with funding due to be sought from the West of England Combined Authority in 2019.
Pictured from top Popular TV programmes shot at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol include Poldark and Broadchurch.
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BRISTOL IS HERITAGE
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BRISTOL IS HERITAGE
FUTURE REFRAMED
Bristol’s best-known heritage venues have been at the forefront of the city’s cultural scene for centuries. Joe Walsh reports on how reimagining and reinventing these historical spaces is playing a part in defining the city’s future
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ristol’s self-styled home of music, Colston Hall, is currently undergoing a £48.8 million two-year redevelopment. The transformation aims not just to modernise outdated facilities (the hall currently has no disabled access and is largely unchanged since the 1950s) but to transform it into a world class music venue. Louise Mitchell is CEO of Bristol Music Trust, the organisation responsible for the hall’s redevelopment, as well as its artistic programme. She says: “We’re about putting on the best of the best, to create an international reputation for what happens here. We have a reasonable catchment area already and I think that will only increase. We play our part in attracting people to Bristol specifically for arts events.” One of the most significant challenges Bristol Music Trust has addressed is the hall’s controversial name, which it shares with Bristolian slave trader, Edward Colston. The hall has long faced calls to change its name, including from Bristol legends Massive Attack. Bristol Music Trust is now acting, and will decide on a new name in time for the reopening. Mitchell says: “It was felt it was the right thing to do. We’re looking at the future rather than the past – and we felt we needed to show some leadership.” The trust has been keen to engage with members of the community, looking at its more recent history and improving local connections with the hall. “There’s been a lot of public interest with stakeholders, music groups; people who use the hall and would like to use it,” says Mitchell. “There’s also a series of five community consultations ongoing now in specific areas, which is a very conscious attempt to engage with communities, who might not think we’ve got any relevance to them.” Celebrating its 150th year in 2017, the hall’s first major redevelopment in 60 years will be completed in 2020, with funding for the project granted from various sources, including corporate sponsorship and public subscription. Although the auditorium was closed in 2018 and will remain so during the redevelopment, live music is still taking place within the foyer – itself subject to a £20 million redevelopment 10 years ago – until the hall reopens. Besides the main hall, the project will also see the second stage, known as The Lantern, revitalised as a performance area and conference space. Perhaps most excitingly, the venue will also open its cellars for the first time in 100 years, which will provide educational facilities. It will have classrooms and a technology lab, as well as a “cabaret-style” performance area. Another landmark arts centre where a major transformation has taken place is at Bristol Old Vic, the oldest continuously running English language theatre in the world. The theatre recently displayed a range of exhibitions and even an augmented reality app to tell the story of its 252year history. It has revelled in showcasing the best of Bristol, exhibiting animation by local studio Aardman, famous for productions such as Wallace and Gromit and Creature Comforts. Liam Wiseman, heritage engagement manager at Bristol Old Vic, says: “The film by Aardman, a classic Bristol studio, shows we are not only here to support the city – but we’re here to work for and with Bristolians, including local artists and designers." As part of its heritage programme, the Old Vic has also not shied away from looking at its historical racial disparity, with
Pictured from above "A window to the past", an augmented reality display at the Bristol Old Vic; live music at the soon-to-be-renamed Colston Hall.
works showing the story of rich merchants and slavers who bankrolled the theatre when it was built in 1766. Alongside this, it is looking at more recent inequalities in theatre. “We’ve been engaging with the city on a wider scale, talking about segregation, and trying to lead conversations about how we solve that,” says Wiseman. By confronting this directly, the Old Vic's ambition is to continue creating an inclusive space through its heritage programme. It will achieve this by focusing on minority representation in theatre and making its programmes accessible and engaging to all Bristolians. Wiseman explains: “We have temporary exhibitions, and our second one next year will deal with the representation of minority groups on stage. We found a lot of material in the archives about minority groups that had been involved in performances and we wanted to tell their story. We want people to understand that the theatre is not just for white middle class audiences, it’s for everyone.” Bristol is a city which refuses to hide unsavoury aspects of its past. Indeed, the reminders of a sometimes troubling history are often used as a way of celebrating the inclusivity and diversity of its present. The reinvention and development of some its most historic cultural venues shows these considerations will be at the forefront of its future. Aside from the concert hall and Old Vic, Bristol city centre is home to more than 1,300 listed buildings, and hundreds of locally significant historic buildings. Many have been conserved with imaginative new uses and innovative design making them fit for the 21st century. Landmark buildings in Bristol’s industrial and mercantile past are now in use as homes, offices, business incubators, visitor attractions, hotels, restaurants or venues. Indeed, a dwindling number still await re-invention. b
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BRISTOL IS TRANSPORT
SPEED OF CHANGE
To accommodate Bristol’s future growth, relieving traffic congestion and transport infrastructure is key. Shailja Morris reports on plans to get the city moving
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WE WANT TO DOUBLE FREQUENCY ON OUR MAIN ROUTES SO THAT A SERVICE RUNNING EVERY 10 MINUTES WOULD RUN EVERY FIVE MINUTES
Pictured clockwise from top left Bristol is working hard to improve bike, train and bus travel for its burgeoning population.
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riving along the M32 into the city centre, it’s easy to see what makes Bristolians proud of their city. There are glimpses of stately Dower House at Stoke Park, the striking frontage of Cabot’s Circus and the University of Bristol ’s Wills Memorial Tower atop Park Street, interjected with flashes of Banksy-inspired street art. However, it is also the scene of rush-hour misery replicated on roads across the city. In 2017, Bristol came third in a survey of the UK’s most congested cities, after London and Manchester. With a rising population and plans for thousands of new homes, the council is working harder than ever to get traffic moving again. A joint transport plan worked up by the council and the city’s West of England neighbours last November proposes Last November, First West of England introduced a flat a major overhaul of Bristol’s road and rail infrastructure. A fare of £2 for all single tickets purchased as a pack of five from major feature is a rapid transit network to get people moving First mTicket app, or from the iPoint ticket machines located quickly in and out of the city. Once completed, in the 2030s, it at all metrobus stops. Freeman adds: “The new flat fare for would achieve 15-20 minute connections between Bristol city Bristol means customers can use all our metrobus services at centre, its urban fringes and Bristol Airport. one simple price.” Transport options are still being considered, including He adds: “We have seen an enormous increase in bus an underground network. The council estimates this could use in Bristol since 2013, by around 45%. The year-on-year potentially connect Aztec West, Emerson’s Green and the increase is in excess of 10%, which is amazing compared to airport to the city centre in under 25 minutes could take 20 national figures, which are -2% or -3% year-on-year. years to deliver, costing up to £4 billion. Other options include Plans to develop Bristol’s urban rail network are finally on overground or light rail, tram or tram-train for four major track – after almost three decades of deliberation. Phase one routes identified. These are: b A line running south from the city centre to Bristol Airport. of the £116 million MetroWest project includes reopening the b A second line leading north to Cribbs Causeway via rail link between Bristol and Portishead, giving 50,000 more Southmead hospital. people direct access to the rail network and easing congestion b A third route connecting to the eastern fringes of the city. on the M5 motorway. b A fourth line travelling from Bristol towards Bath. MetroWest phase two would reopen the Henbury Line to Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees an hourly spur passenger service and explains: “We are in the second feasibility increase train services to Yate. New rail study for that (rapid transit network) now stations at Henbury, North Filton and and waiting for it come back. But then Ashley Down are proposed, largely to it’s about integrating it with buses, bikes serve new housing being delivered in and maybe even electric scooters and an Filton and North Acton. A Development electronic taxi fleet.” Consent Order will be put before INCREASE IN BUS USE IN Meanwhile, the city’s Bus Rapid government in April. BRISTOL SINCE 2013 Transit system received a boost at the At Temple Meads railway station, start of the year with the launch of public realm improvements continue. the third and final route of metrobus. Adam Crowther, head of strategic city Running every 10 minutes, the M1 service runs from the north transport, explains: “Regional and national connectivity by to south of the city and improves connections from the city rail is important. More and more people are travelling to centre, UWE and Cribbs Causeway. It is an addition to the M2 London, Birmingham and south Wales. Temple Meads station and M3 services which started running along north-east and is key to these services and we are aiming to redevelop the south-west Bristol last year. station to the eastside and shift its centre of gravity towards Managing director of First West of England, James the city centre with improved walkways and cycle lanes.” Freeman, explains: “metrobus is a high frequency service The M32, meanwhile, faces an uncertain future. Crowther using a fleet of high quality buses that will all soon be says: “Park-and-ride (P&R) sites are difficult to introduce, due running on biogas on special roadways. The service is proving to the short gaps between the motorway junctions. Neither successful with 20% more patronage than forecast.” do bus lanes work well on motorways, so we are working with Freeman reveals further plans for high frequency bus Highways England and South Gloucestershire Council to services: “We want to double frequency on our main routes so determine if there are other options for the M32 which might that a service running every 10 minutes would run every five open up more P&R sites.” minutes. It’s a groundbreaking proposition. It happened in He concludes: “The key is to provide a more accessible London and completely changed bus travel there. We would and comprehensive transport network, with better walking need an extra 150 – 200 buses in Bristol and would invest our and cycling options. Until we do that, we will continue to be own resources as an operator. We would only be able to deliver congested. It is important that we secure funding to keep this on the back of an improved road network.” delivering sustainable public transport options.” b
45%
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BRISTOL IS HOUSING
BLOCK PARTY Bristol is proud of its pioneering spirit and is now leading the way when it comes to innovative housing solutions. Jane Thynne reports
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Pictured clockwise from opposite Signposting ideas at Bristol Housing Festival; modern housing construction methods are favoured; Councillor Paul Smith at the festival; people of all ages are getting involved.
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ristol likes a party. Over the course of a year it plays host to the Bristol Harbour Festival, Upfest and, of course, the International Balloon Fiesta. But last autumn, a new happening hit town, bringing a rush of fresh ideas that could change the city’s landscape forever. The Bristol Housing Festival is an initiative designed to re-imagine affordable housing provision across the city. By using new modular technologies and creating public-private partnerships, the city has embarked on a five-year project to combat its housing crisis. More than 25 companies exhibited at the 17 day-long launch event in late 2018, including modular home designers We Can Make, Zed Pods and ISO Spaces, which specialises in shipping container conversions. Visitors flocked to the festival base in Waterfront Square, where the presentations were met with enthusiasm. But what happens now? Can innovative approaches such as this go some way towards satisfying the city’s need for critical accommodation solutions? “One of the main factors of the launch was to start a narrative for the wider public,” explains Jez Sweetland, project director. “We don’t want to be just an expo showcasing ideas. The challenge is what we do next in terms of delivery. We have to demonstrate how ideas have been incubated and brought forward from the launch event.” And things are already moving, with at least three projects in the pipeline. There is Launchpad, a consortium comprising Bristol University Students Union, 1625
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Independent People (a local charity) and United Communities (a social housing provider), aiming to provide accessible “inspired accommodation” for young people and key workers. Partnered with the city council, the 33-home container scheme is making use of a former council car park bordering Alexandra Park in the Fishponds area of Bristol. The hope is that youthful communities will grow and encourage active citizens who will co-mentor each other. As Sweetland points out, the thinking behind modular housing is not just to create a series of pop-up homes but to “help the city find positive solutions” to what is a very real social need. Launchpad is based on a co-living model first tested
[BRISTOL IS] A MAGNET FOR CREATIVE TALENT AND FOR PEOPLE PREPARED TO TAKE A RISK AND LIVE DIFFERENTLY in Amsterdam. Involving students and refugees housed in city-owned blocks, the Startblok project has been successful in terms of low-cost accommodation provision, as well as community relations. And The Netherlands is leading the way when it comes to innovative housebuilding – the city of Eindhoven is set to have the first collection of homes made by a 3D printer. But are the people of Bristol ready for such revolutionary solutions? Sweetland is keen to emphasise modular
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BRISTOL IS HOUSING Pictured We Can Make aims to develop community housing (left and above). Launchpad (below) will provide for young people and key workers.
solutions? Sweetland is keen to emphasise modular housing does not equal temporary housing. He stresses that a property built off-site is no less substantial than a traditional construction. While the usage may be what he terms “meanwhile”, the homes themselves are by no means transitory structures. While the festival shows exciting promise, complex planning laws need to be negotiated. Sweetland is aware making sweeping changes to existing regulations could create a “free for all”, and that despite the acute need for new homes, traditional procedures and good practice must be respected to gain the right outcomes for the city’s present and future residents. Bristol Housing Festival sees itself as a “broker” “galvanise” ideas derived at the festival and build [on them]. that will help partners negotiate with the city. Bristol’s mayor, “We have to look at new ways [to do this],” he says. “It’s up to Marvin Rees’ One City governance approach persuades the us to take the lead, to use the new technologies to cater for a area’s stakeholders to work together to resolve issues such as new generation. People’s expectations are changing, housing. He is encouraging the festival to work cohesively and structures need to change. We can be the laboratory to reach out to city lawyers, architects, planners and captains of innovate that change.” industry to work for the benefit of the city as a whole. And while everyone is agreed the housing crisis must It’s a policy that has found favour with social entrepreneur be addressed, Sweetland is aware containers and abstract Lord Wei, founder of the Shaftesbury Partnership, which is concrete constructions may not be to working closely with the project. Wei everyone’s taste. says: “We need to move away from the “Bristol as a city has an innovative model where we lobby government or KEY STATS mindset. It doesn’t mind being even big business to do everything, to b During 2016/17, 199 homes creative and taking the lead but one where we truly believe everyone classed as affordable were built there is a very real housing crisis and can bring assets and value to the b Figures from one single night in politicians are recognising that there table, to see our cities thrive and solve November 2018 showed there has been a systemic failure in housing the intractable problems no single were 86 rough sleepers in Bristol policy and we need a rethink. sector has been able to address alone. b Between March 2012 and “We know we will come across “Bristol is also a compassionate Dec 2017, the number of a certain amount of ‘nimbyism’ – city right down to the grassroots, and households living in temporary people will want to know what this is has a history of creativity both in the accommodation rose from going to look like? Will it affect me?’ arts and in engineering. This makes 160 to 478 But the main thing for the Bristol it a magnet for creative talent and for b In 2016, Bristol had a ‘housing Housing Festival is that we continue people prepared to take a risk and affordability ratio’ of 8.61 for to articulate a high vision of the city. live differently.” average house prices to average We want to talk about values; we Councillor Paul Smith, cabinet earnings want people to support new means member with responsibility for *Source: State of Bristol Key Facts 2018 of development through feelings of housing, is also a keen supporter, hope and generosity. We need to have stressing that “radical steps” must courage and unite as a city.” b be taken and that the city must now
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BRISTOL CREATES INNOVATES AND LEADS
www.bristolhousingfestival.org.uk
The Bristol Housing Festival is a five-year Festival, during which we will;
Facilitate new communities being built Hold exhibitions to showcase new and existing innovation in housing
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Evaluate and test everything to work out what really works and what doesn’t Keep the conversation going across the city
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WE KNOW BRISTOL Barton Willmore is the UK’s leading integrated planning and design consultancy. Based on one of Bristol’s main streets since the nineties, our talented team of planners and designers work across the city and the entire South West.
To find out more visit: www.bartonwillmore.co.uk T: 0117 929 9677 E: bristol@bartonwillmore.co.uk
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While Bristol may have been European City of Sport as recently as 2017, the “first city� of the West Country cannot rest on its laurels. Bristol needs to engage as many of its residents as possible in 2019. Garth Cartwright looks at how the city is addressing the challenge
BRISTOL IS SPORT
LIFE OF LEISURE
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WESPORT HAS TARGETED A NUMBER OF LOCALITIES ACROSS THE WEST OF ENGLAND, INCLUDING BRISTOL, TO WORK SPECIFICALLY WITH THE COMMUNITY AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS
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limbing the Avon Gorge is challenging, exhilarating, uplifting and – unless you have the misfortune to fall(!) – life enhancing. It’s just one of many great sporting fixtures in Bristol. While rugby union side Bristol Bears and Championship football at Bristol City are well known and attract big crowds, there are plenty of amateur organisations in football, rugby, cricket and hockey, open to anyone who enjoys team sports. And these are just the tip of the iceberg: from korfball to squash, both Australian and American rules football, baseball and basketball, Bristol is a city offering huge sporting variety and opportunities to keep fit. Living up to its reputation as a city of inclusivity, this shines through in Bristol’s sporting clubs and activities. The Bristol Bisons RFC are the most prominent gay-friendly rugby team in the south-west and are feted for their striking pink and black kit (and good humour and sportsmanship). Also noted not simply for activities on the pitch are sports organisation, the Easton Cowboys & Cowgirls. Set up over a few pints in 1992, it has gone on to win a reputation which goes far beyond most amateur sporting pursuits. It now comprises several football, cricket and netball teams for both men and women, alongside kids’ clubs and lots of associated socialising and community activism. Legend has it that local hero Banksy, the internationally celebrated street artist, once played in goal for one of the Cowboy’s football teams. The most eccentric sporting outfit is perhaps Bristol Bears & Bees quidditch club. Quidditch, of course, is the sport played at Hogwarts by Harry Potter and pals. The Bears & Bees are based at Bristol Students Union, and the non-fictional version of the game is played on foot while using one hand to hold a broom between the legs, rather than two teams of seven riding broomsticks. Founded in America, the United States Quidditch Association claim it is the fastest growing contact sport in the world. Speaking of contact sports, Boxing Club Bristol and Empire Fighting Chance are long established amateur boxing clubs: both are open to women and children and provide fitness classes alongside coaching. For those who prefer individual pursuits of physical and mental endurance, The Simplyhealth Great Bristol Half Marathon returns this autumn and the Bristol Yoga Centre, at 10 Park Row offers a variety of classes, while those hoping to get their groove on head to The Dance Space at The Island on Nelson Street for classes and training sessions. Not everyone is ready to tackle the Avon Gorge climb straight away – beginners can learn how to do so at The Climbing Academy at St Werburgh’s Church on Mina Road, with more advanced climbers also making use of the facility. For those relishing the river, there’s also stand up paddleboarding – the UK water sport is increasing in popularity and provides a unique way to explore Bristol Harbour’s waterways. Bristol was the European City of Sport in 2017 and Andy Blackmore, senior project manager at sporting charity Wesport (The West of England Sport Trust), is working to engage as many Bristol residents as possible, as well as actively increasing local participation in sporting activities. He says: “Being the European City of Sport for 2017 acted as a catalyst for the mayor [of Bristol, Marvin Rees] to set up
Pictured Locals – old and young – get involved with a variety of sport and leisure pursuits in Bristol.
a number of sport gatherings with organisations of all sizes, where how best to address the physical activity needs of Bristolians was discussed. These conversations are continuing and focusing on inclusive participation, events and improving pathways for talent. “There is no silver bullet that can be fired to encourage everyone to be more physically active,” admits Blackmore. “Sport and physical activity providers need to work together
BEING THE EUROPEAN CITY OF SPORT FOR 2017 ACTED AS A CATALYST TO SET UP SPORT GATHERINGS to ensure everyone has the opportunity to access sport and physical activity. We have developed relationships with clubs, schools, national governing bodies of sport, charities and local businesses to get more people active, with a particular interest in those who are currently inactive and from groups currently under-represented in sport and physical activity. For example, we run The West of England School Games, where 72 schools from Bristol took part in our finals days.” While this is all positive, Blackmore does admit reaching marginalised communities in Bristol can be difficult.
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BRISTOL IS SPORT “Wesport has targeted a number of localities across the West of England, including Bristol, to work specifically with the community and local organisations. In the Bristol area, Lockleaze Sports Centre has recently opened. There is a desire within the community and local councillors to make Lockleaze as good a place as it can be. We have the intention of setting up a sport and physical activity partnership for the area.” So how does Wesport intend to encourage the Bristol public’s participation in sport? Blackmore says: “As you can imagine, it’s much easier getting someone to respond or take action if they already have an interest or take part.” But for the more reluctant, he says, the challenge is greater and more modern ways of thinking need to be adopted. “Most people use social media in some form and just about every sports club will have a website and a Twitter account,” Blackmore explains. “Some people respond to adverts on a notice board but many fewer than in the past. People tend to want information at their fingertips and to be able to respond or be informed within a couple of clicks. But personal recommendations – i.e. from someone they know and trust – are still hugely influential. Reaching people who are turned off by sport is much more difficult. We tend to try to attract this group by veering away from the word ‘sport’.” Giving an example, Blackmore says: “We ran activities with Air Hop [the trampoline “bounce” park in the Patchway Trading Estate – off junction 17 on the M5] for less active primary school children. It was advertised as ‘Jump Around’. All the children involved laughed their way through two hours of physical activity without knowing they were doing it.” Wesport is also determined to establish equilibrium between the sexes when it comes to sport: “The number one barrier to women taking part was identified as ‘fear of judgment’, says Blackmore. “Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can’ programme proved hugely influential and successful in showing women taking part in a range of different activities in a range of settings and loving it.”
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WE TRY TO FOCUS ON THE WIDER BENEFITS OF BEING ACTIVE, NOT JUST PERSONAL HEALTH BENEFITS
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Pictured from top Tennis and taekwondo are just two sports young people have the opportunity to get involved with in Bristol.
Considering the rapid increase in “lifestyle” problems, both obesity and diabetes are rising across the UK due to the consumption of processed, sugary foods alongside a lack of physical activity – Wesport’s agenda for Bristol and the West Country is serious. Blackmore agrees, but notes: “We try to focus on the wider benefits of being active, not just personal health benefits. And we try to make it a positive association – not because being active stops you being ill, but because it can help you be healthy, make friends, have fun and so on.” All of which are good reasons to engage with one of the many activities Bristol offers. Up the Avon Gorge! b
co.uk www.gpe.
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Invest
“A high quality, very focused issue that truly reflected our regeneration and growth ambitions.”
Waltham Forest Encouraging investment in Waltham Forest
ISSUE 4
Ways to connect
With support from a local MP models of working and the council, from risks attachedare helping with problem co-operative s in Waltham Forest, to self-emp workshops and food producti loyment to the cost of renting on. Lucy Clarke reports
S
elf-employed people in Waltham Forest are new ways to work finding in a crucial step forward for entrepreneurs and business-m inded residents.
Waltham Forest Council on Invest Waltham Forest #4
Collaborative organisations such as the co-operati ve working space Indycube and the Blackhorse Workshop public facility are intent encouraging freelance on success across the borough.
Festivals, film, focused design
Summer 2017
UN DE R STAR TE RS OR DE RS
GA R D E N C I TY
B R I CK BY B R I CK Establishing the UK’s first garden city for more than 100 years
600
Nearby shopping behemoth, Bluew is 20 years old ater, this year. It has 330 stores, three anch stores, 40 cafes or restaurants andand 13-screen cinem a a
L I VE New communities are forged 18 as first-time buyers flock to Ebbsfleet
Indycube, in partnershi p with the community trade union, is helping support Walthams to tow’s growing employed communit selfy.
Private/public: pulling forces
“A delight to work with such professionals across the whole team.”
Work is now underw City, starting the ay on the ambitious Ebbsfle timer ticking et Garden numbers speak towards completion. The for themselves The site’s first primary schoo l at Castle Hill, will open in Septe mber and operated by the Leigh Acade will be mies Trust
B UIL D
The Labour MP for Walthams tow, Stella Creasy, hopes projects run by organisations like these gateway for promoting will act as a membership among trade union north-east London the 16.5% of her work for themselve constituency who s.
EBBSFLE ET GARDEN CITY FACTS & FIGURES
Issue 2
With the first tranche of homes already built, thousands more are planned
Evening economy, established enterprise
Above: Indycube seeks to unionise self-employed people – such as graphic designers – to provide workers’ rights support.
homes started in 2016/17 with over
300
L E A RN
completed
Industry experts collaborate to bring the project forward, as the first school opens
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation on Ebbsfleet Garden City #2
YEARS
since Ebbsflee t Development Corporation – overseei the Implementation ng Framework – was established
S U MMER
201 7
•ORRERY•
Issue One
“They understood what we wanted to create from day one, and have delivered a quality product.” Marketing Derby on Orrery #1
•O Photo finishes
RRERY• Ones to watch
J O U
Global connections UK’s
s behind the success of one premier phot of the ography festiv als, FORMAT
Fighting to break down the hierarchie s of an industry while working with some of its most respected represent atives For Louise Fedotov-Cle is a challenging prospect. ments, artistic director of QUAD, Derby’s centre for and co-founder/directo contemporary art and film r of Derby’s internatio photography and nal related media festival, is what makes FORMAT, it the event unique.
B R I A N G R I F F P A T R O I N , N O F F O R M My photograph, A T morning for the ‘Rush Hour London Bridge’, was magazine Managem taken one story about people commuting into ent Today, to illustrate a inspired by the the City of London. German expressio It was a group of people marching to thenist silent film ‘Metropolis’ – same place like automatons.
briangriffin.co.uk
•ORRERY•
R N A L S FR OM BE HIN D TH E LEN S Inside the mind
an arts officer at the time. The inspiration was the city’s history not and heritage within photography, but the idea that the medium can “represent so different ideas many of places, people and ways of seeing, living and thinking” . “It is a very contempo rary festival, but archives based it also involves on the heritage of photography around the world, from whether it’s Africa, China, India or across Latin America,” Fedotov-Clements adds.
Collaboration with photogra phers, other artists and organisations in Europe, Africa and South America – as well as China and India – have created global recognitio n for the UK festival. B FORMAT is now a major draw for Clements says ut Fedotovit is paramoun practitioners across the world. t to maintain the It also seeks to original ethos, develop people’s established for understanding the inaugural and skills 2004; engaging event in with and encourag but of other contempo – not just of photography ing participation from thousand rary and related s of hobbyists as performance media such and locals alongside art, AR (Augmen world-renowned ted Reality) and figures in the indus AI (Artificial Intelligen try. ce). This is in addition to the biggest internation “We want people al portfolio review to feel like they programme for aspiring photogra have a voice and be seen as part phers worldwid of the festival, e. Participants can meet leading alongside some industry people, the greatest practition of such as directors of museums, lead ers in the world,” F editors of media Clements adds. edotov“We show great and other established photogra art, but we want people to see there phers, benefiting is potential for from a rare chance to engage them to be part in one-to-one that as well. That of sessions. works on many levels and it’s unusual. I think quite a lot of internatio Derby is seen nal festivals of as the ideal city nature have their this for FORMAT. backs to everyday Clements says: Fedotovpeople. We want “It allows us to people to feel give people a holistic like they can collabora view of the city. te and be part We’ll be collabora the event, to have of ting with a partner fun and enjoy in Derbyshire it.” in the coming months too, so will be able to people get out to the FORMAT is organised countryside.” by QUAD, and supp by the Arts Council, orted FORMAT 2019 Derby City Council takes place between University of Derby. It and the 15 March and 14 April. The theme usually attracts 100,000 people around is FOREVER//NOW and is held at feature exhibition and it will 15 or so venues s, portfolio reviews, the city. Fedotov-C across lements founded workshops, events and mastercla the festival with Mike Brown, who sses. On the next was working at looks at work pages, Orrery the city council from previous contributors. as formatfestival.com •31•
Workspace Mountview
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preserve Protect and ping In a fast develo e borough, heritag retaining and matters – proud history restoring a
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World’s a stage Theatre Mountview in Academy opens ng Peckham, inspiri abound opportunities
Academy
“I think we can safely say this is the best regeneration magazine in the world.”
ark
southw Issue 20
Winter 2018
and London te in-dem want to be part of; s that peopleers, local communitie our occupi ve. thri to e city
Cllr Peter John, Southwark Council on Southwark #20.
THE FLEXI-TIMESOPENIN ACT G
Issue 20 Winter 2018
co.uk www.gpe.
34 issue
winter
issue
winter
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34-39_southwark20_workspace4.indd 34 22/11/20
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WBD_Advert_Bristol-IS-Feb-2019_SW.indd 1
15/02/2019 12:32:58
PROJECTS
BRISTOL IS PROJECTS
32:58
45
Blackberry Hill
Location of projects in Bristol
Montpelier
Redland
Stapleton Road
Carriageworks Clifton Down
ST PAUL’S
CLIFTON
Clifton Observatory
ST JUDE’S Callowhill Court Lawrence Hill
University of Bristol
Castle Park View Finzels Reach
Clifton Suspension Bridge
Assembly Bristol
Silverthorne Lane
Temple Temple Island + Quarter University Temple Campus Meads Station Wapping Wharf 2 SOUTHVILLE Bedminster
Parson Street
Bristol Airport
→
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BRISTOL IS PROJECTS
CASTLE PARK VIEW
Developer Linkcity has signed agreements with Homes England, Bristol City Council, M&G Real Estate and Yarlington Housing Group to deliver the 16,720sq m Castle Park View project, which – as its name suggests – will overlook Castle Park. There will be a 26-storey block, providing 375 new homes on the former ambulance station site. The building has been designed by architect Chapman Taylor, and Bouygues UK is the main contractor. Completion is expected in 2022. M&G Real Estate will own and manage 300 private rented apartments, while Yarlington Housing Group will own the 75 affordable homes. Bristol’s elected mayor Marvin Rees, said: “By working together, we have been able to increase the amount of affordable housing on the site from 12% to 20%. This is an important milestone and we look forward to construction starting soon to bring this project to life.”
ASSEMBLY
Work is due to begin on developer AXA / Bellhammer’s Assembly project. Assembly Bristol offers a total of 29,000sq m of space across a variety of flexible commercial floorplates, ranging from 418 to 2112sq m. The developer said public realm would be at the heart of Assembly, with extensive waterside spaces and rooftop gardens. It comprises three buildings: Building A will be up to 18,600sq m, Building B 2,322 and Building C around 7,900.
47
Planning permission was granted in July 2018 for the redevelopment of a 3.5-ha area that forms part of the Broadmead estate adjoining Cabot Circus. The masterplan provides for up to 74,000sq m of retail and leisure space, 380 car parking spaces, and the potential for 150 homes and a 150-room hotel. Existing buildings will be demolished, giving a comprehensive redevelopment of land in and around Callowhill Court, Broadmead and The Horsefair. Planning consultant Turley said the project would “update a part of the city centre’s main shopping quarter that has received only piecemeal upgrades since originally being developed in the 1950s”.
UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
The buildings aim to be ‘futureproofed’ for occupiers through higher than usual floor-to-ceiling heights of 2.85m, outdoor space on every floor, opening windows and personal control over environments. Assembly is planned to an eventual occupancy density of 1.8sq m. There will be six passenger lifts, plus a goods lift and two for firefighting. The project will include improved pedestrian links to the city centre, Temple Meads train station and the nearby Floating Harbour.
The University of Bristol is progressing plans to create a new campus on the 2.8-ha site next to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. Business education will be co-located with science and engineering research and development, with a focus on digital innovation. There will be students working alongside industry partners. The new campus is expected to generate more than £400 million for the local economy over 25 years. Outline planning permission was granted in July 2018 and consultation on the next stage of design is scheduled for spring 2019. The campus is set to open → in 2021-22.
BRISTOL IS PROJECTS
CALLOWHILL COURT
48
BRISTOL AIRPORT
Bristol Airport is situated just outside the city, and its owner, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan, has submitted a planning application to North Somerset Council to increase capacity to 12 million passengers a year by the mid-2020s, from nine million expected this year. Traffic through the terminal is limited to 10 million passengers under the current planning permission. Under the new plans, the terminal will be further enlarged, with expanded passenger and baggage facilities and a canopy over a pedestrianised forecourt. Additional car parking and a new loop road will improve traffic flow within the airport site. Local highway improvements are proposed to the A38 junctions with West Lane and Downside Road to ensure additional passenger journeys can be accommodated.
SILVERTHORNE LANE
Developer Square Bay acquired the Silverthorne Lane site in the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone in 2014 and obtained planning consent for 168 homes with ground floor flexible commercial space. Square Bay has since set up Feeder Estates to develop the project, with 500 homes, offices, shops, accommodation for 800 students and a 1,600-place school. The homes would be in blocks ranging in height to 20 storeys, while around 10,000sq m of space would be devoted to employment, mainly offices. Academy chain Oasis has bought part of the site for the new school for pupils aged 11-18.
49
Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the largest urban regeneration projects in the UK, an overarching programme in which sit a number of projects. It covers 100 hectares of land with the historic Temple Meads station at its core. The 25-year ambition is to deliver 22,000 jobs, up to 11,000 new homes and establish a world-class new campus for the University of Bristol. Work expected this year includes the demolition of the former Royal Mail sorting office. Contractors have been working since early 2018 to prepare the site and demolition is expected to start in February, after which the university will begin construction of its new enterprise campus. A concept masterplan for 70 hectares of Temple Meads and the Temple Quarter is due to be published in May following work that started last July. This will examine how to open up access to and through Temple Meads from the east of the city and the potential to bring forward new retail, office, housing and leisure developments based around Temple Quarter. Elsewhere in the quarter, construction work on Engine Shed 2 is due to start this autumn on a derelict site. It builds on the success of the start-up incubator provided at Engine Shed 1. Remodelling of the Temple Circus junction has been under way since 2017 and is expected to be completed by September, giving a simplified road layout with larger accessible bus bays. Space will double for pedestrians and quadruple for cyclists. This project also opens up new land for development. The overall Temple Quarter project is being delivered by a dedicated team at the council, supported by the West of England Combined Authority (which incorporates the local enterprise partnership), government agency Homes England, which owns several sites in the area, the University of Bristol and Network Rail, which owns → Temple Meads railway station.
BRISTOL IS PROJECTS
TEMPLE QUARTER
50
BLACKBERRY HILL
Work is in progress at the Blackberry Hill site in Fishponds, a project by Galliford Try Partnerships, to transform the former hospital into 346 new homes, 100 of which will be classed as affordable. Many are being built using a modern method of construction – the SIG I-House – means homes can be assembled on-site far faster than would be permitted by traditional construction methods. The site is only three miles from the city centre and will offer a selection of one and two-bedroom apartments and two and five-bedroom houses. Galliford Try Partnerships will work in partnership with Homes England, Bristol City Council and Sovereign Housing Association on the project. Stephen Teagle, chief executive of Galliford Try Partnerships, told a recent civic event: “This project really is about true partnership and regeneration. On the one hand, we’ve come together with the council, Homes England and Sovereign to unlock the true value of the site, and on the other we are using our regeneration expertise to transform these redundant buildings into a fantastic new community.”
WAPPING WHARF 2
Construction work has started on 256 new homes at Wapping Wharf, following the building of a retaining wall built to support the historic Bristol Gaol. Wapping Wharf is a joint venture between developers Umberslade and Muse, and has secured £23.4 million
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BRISTOL IS PROJECTS
TEMPLE ISLAND
Bristol City Council’s cabinet has decided to explore a mixed-use development on Temple Island instead of the original idea of an arena. This followed a recommendation by officers of an alternative scheme, which could include a conference centre and four or five star hotel, retail and both private and homes classed as affordable next to Bristol Temple Meads. Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees said: “By not borrowing the huge sums needed to build the arena, we will also release capital for other exciting city projects. “I remain committed to delivering an arena for Bristol and we will continue to work with our partners to make sure that we make this a reality.” The mixed-use scheme with potential partner Legal & General could bring £500 million in economic benefits.
from Homes England towards the project’s £43 million second phase. This will comprise two blocks and most of the 256 homes will be sold on the open market, though Sovereign Housing Association will buy 93. The early 19th century, Grade II-listed Gaol Gate and gaol wall structures, have been stabilised and will
act as a pedestrian feature entrance to the homes. There will also be four retail units, totalling 659sq m and 81 more affordable homes will be built separately later. Homes England chief executive Nick Walkley said: “Homes England is hugely excited by the potential for new homes
in Bristol and we want to use our finance and expertise to speed up the delivery. “We have previously supported the award-winning first phase of the Wapping Wharf scheme and the £23.4 million loan through our Home Building Fund will help transform this site.”
→
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BRISTOL IS PROJECTS
FINZELS REACH
Local developer Cubex has drawn up plans to transform the former headquarters site of Avon Fire and Rescue into new homes and offices, and intends to submit plans to the council this year. The £140 million mixed-use scheme planned for the site comprises a 9,290sq m office building, featuring a corkscrew staircase, rising up through a glass atrium to a rooftop terrace. It will reflect similar design principles to Aurora, the slightly smaller office building completed at Finzels Reach last year. There will also be more than 300 homes in buildings varying in height from seven to 16 storeys. Co-working space will be at ground level. Cubex has committed to deliver 20% of the homes as affordable.
CARRIAGEWORKS
Demolition of Westmorland House began in late 2018 and two years of construction work is scheduled to start in spring 2019.
The company has also bought the Generator Building, which will become co-working space. Cubex started regeneration work at Finzels Reach just over five years ago and the first phase is almost complete. Finzels Reach was originally a brewery and sugar refinery and the site was closed to the public for more than 200 years. Cubex has developed more than £110 million worth of office and residential space, and nearly £26 million of leisure space. By the end of 2019, around 2,500 people will be living or working at Finzels Reach, with 437 new apartments, alongside 22,300sq m of office space.
Various changes are being sought from the original planning permission granted. The Carriageworks, next to Westmoreland House, is a stone and cast iron building, which will be partially demolished but with the
distinguished stone arched facade being retained. The new development will comprise six residential blocks, some including retail units and built from a variety of materials.
EVENTS WORKSHOPS ● LAUNCHES ● TOURS ● RECEPTIONS CONFERENCES ● MEETINGS ● ROUND-TABLES
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020 7978 6840
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20/02/2019 16:36
54
BRISTOL IS SUSTAINABILITY
DATE WITH DESTINY
Bristol City Council recently won the Local Energy Leadership Award at the National Green Energy Awards. Noella Pio Kivlehan speaks to head of energy services, David White, about how Bristol is rising to climate challenges What are Bristol’s biggest energy achievements to date?
We’ve delivered over £50 million of lowcarbon projects since 2012, and remain the only local authority in the country to own large-scale wind turbines, having invested in the installation of two 2.5MW wind turbines in 2015.
serve a number of new commercial and residential developments near Temple Meads station. Also, we are working on the City Leap initiative – a series of energy investment opportunities with the potential to transform Bristol’s energy system and help us forge ahead on the journey to carbon neutrality.
What energy projects is the council currently working on?
What has this meant for Bristol?
We’ve been installing 8MW of solar PV across the city, including adding solar panels to our offices, libraries, schools, museums, leisure centres and even a large solar farm on our own land, which is up in Avonmouth. Currently, we’re expanding our low-carbon heat network across the city centre. The network currently provides over 1,000 social housing properties with low-carbon, affordable heating – and the new expansions will help to
All of these projects have helped the city reduce its carbon emissions. As a council, we’re excited to say we have cut our own corporate emissions by 71% – achieving our 2020 target years ahead of schedule and showing how local councils can lead by example. In 2018, we released a prospectus document, which outlined all of our energy projects and the areas where investment could help to increase their scale and pace of delivery.
54_BI_Sustain4.indd 54
How is the council engaging people with the issue of climate change?
We asked for organisations all over the world to get in touch and express an interest in partnering with the council and what we got back was incredible. We heard from over 180 organisations in a variety of sectors, including technology, energy, finance, academic institutions, and innovation, as well as a number of entries from Bristol’s own thriving community energy sector. The high level of interest is a testament to Bristol’s reputation as a leading energy city and proven track record of delivering ambitious and innovative energy projects. We’re now looking at all of the responses we have gathered to find what the best opportunities are for collaborations, and to progress to the next stages of building partnerships to deliver for Bristol. b
15/02/2019 17:54
www.hadleypropertygroup.com
Nick Hutchings nick.hutchings@a2dominion.co.uk specialise in the delivery
HADLEY PROPERTY GROUP PROVIDING DESIGN-LED, SUSTAINABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS SINCE 2003
Patrick Davis Zoe Metcalfe In keeping with Bristol’spatrickdavis@bellhammer.co.uk exemplar reputation as zoe.metcalfe@arup.com
We of high-quality residential-led schemes and have more than 1500 homes in our planning and delivery pipeline.
James Gore jgore@bristolairport.com
a green and progressive city, we are proud to be developing a scheme made entirely of crosslaminated timber, a carbon-neutral material. For more information on this scheme please visit us at hadleypropertygroup.com/properties/ bath-road-bristol
Jez Sweetland jez.sweetland@bristolhousingfestival.org.uk
Kathryn Pennington kathryn.pennington@gallifordtry.co.uk
BRISTOL PARTNERSHIP Supporting Bristol City Council
Through the cultivation of partnerships with local authorities, registered providers and key public sector stakeholders we are helping boroughs meet housing targets in the following areas:
Hadley-Bristol-Business-Guide-Sep-18-A3.indd 1
Tom Stanley tom.stanley@knightfrank.com
Clare Wildfire clare.wildfire@mottmac.com
Jonathan Bower jonathan.bower@wbd-uk.com
Shelley Cook shelley@3foxinternational.com
Ron Persuad ron@changerealestate.co.uk
1
26/09/2018 13:40
MAKING BRIGHTER WAVES LIVING
Holding a steady course Creative Leadership
Inspired by our heritage, here for our future. Change Real Estate, with its partners ICG Longbow and CFO, are transforming this 3.3-acre site in the heart of Bristol’s historic trading district into a new neighbourhood for living, working, shopping and dining. Creating over 500 jobs and generating £7million for the local economy each year, this £250million development is setting a new benchmark for inner city regeneration.
Find out more at redcliffquarter.com
A development by Change Real Estate
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