| Temple Quarter update – May 2023 Welcome to our May update on Temple Quarter. In this newsletter you can read the latest information on the Temple Quarter Development Framework, harbour walkway, Grosvenor Hotel and much more. |
 Development Framework endorsed by Cabinet Bristol City Council’s Cabinet endorsed the Bristol Temple Quarter Development Framework on 2 May. The Framework sets out the overall vision for Temple Quarter, which will transform 130 hectares of land around Bristol Temple Meads railway station and St Philip’s Marsh. The project aims to deliver 10,000 new homes and thousands of new jobs, alongside new public spaces, low-carbon infrastructure, and commercial uses in a series of mixed-use communities. Now endorsed by Cabinet, the Development Framework has become a material planning consideration. This means planning applications that are submitted within the Temple Quarter regeneration area will be considered against the vision for the area as set out in the framework together with all other material planning considerations. You can read the Development Framework and cabinet paper online. |
| Response to consultation Before the Development Framework went to Cabinet, a consultation took place to hear your feedback on the proposals for Temple Quarter. Over 87% of respondents agreed with our five Guiding Principles for change. Across the range of consultation activities that took place, respondents also supported ambitions in the framework to deliver housing, jobs, improved accessibility, sustainable travel, community infrastructure, and public green spaces at Temple Quarter. Many comments received included responses related to building design, the exact type of housing and feedback on the design of sustainable travel routes. Some of this feedback went beyond the level of detail within the Framework. This feedback has been recorded and will be used to inform more detailed proposals and further public engagement as the project progresses. You can read the full consultation report that went to Cabinet online. |
 Watch students’ films online During the consultation, we worked with students at the Screenology film school on Silverthorne Lane in St Philip’s Marsh. The students created films exploring what the future of St Philip’s Marsh could be through the eyes of young people. You can now watch the films and read more about the project on the Temple Quarter website. |
 Construction starts on University of Bristol Enterprise CampusContracts have been signed and construction has started on the University of Bristol’s new £500m Enterprise Campus at Cattle Market Road. Opening in 2026, the campus next to Temple Meads Station will enhance the University of Bristol’s reputation as a global destination for world-leading research, education and innovation. The site will be home to 4,600 students and 650 university staff who will come together with business and community partners to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges. |
| Work underway on new harbour walkway Work on the new Temple Quarter harbour walkway has started on site. Work has begun in the areas where the pontoon walkway will land at the northern end, at the ferry stop where it will connect to Meads Reach Bridge, and at the southern end next to Totterdown Basin where it will be connected to Cattle Market Road via a footpath. The first activities included setting up site compounds and access, trial excavations and creation of a platform for the piling rig. The contractor is also casting concrete foundation blocks that will hold the pontoons in place. Upcoming activity includes the construction of platforms where the ramps of the walkway will land. The pontoons will be delivered and connected later in the year, creating a new off-road walking and cycling route from the station to Cattle Market Road. |
 Grosvenor Hotel set for demolition Following the fire in late 2022, the derelict Grosvenor Hotel is set to be demolished. Since the council secured a court order to make the building safe or demolish it, the private owner has made it clear they plan to demolish the building. The council is working with the owner to ensure any action is taken swiftly. The Grosvenor Hotel has been in a poor condition for several years. The Mayor and Cabinet have laid out plans to develop Temple Square, made up of The Grosvenor Hotel site, along with the old George and Railway Hotel and the land in between, with a mix of employment space and ground floor uses which will complement our ambitions for the wider Temple Quarter regeneration programme. |
| New stadium proposed on the site of the Fruit Market Conygar Investment Company confirmed in April that they have acquired an option to explore planning for a new Bristol Rovers stadium on the 14.7 acre Fruit Market site in St Philip’s Marsh, alongside new housing and leisure facilities. The option is conditional that a planning application is made before March 31, 2024. Bristol Rovers said: “Over the next few months, we will work with Conygar to play our part in creating a vision for the site that supports the needs of the city as well as ensuring that we protect the long-term interests of the football club.” Conygar said: “We intend to create a vision for the site and then hold a wide- ranging conversation with residents and stakeholders about the exciting possibilities that could help to transform this area.” |
| Station Innovation Zone needs your help Bristol Temple Meads station is the UK’s first Station Innovation Zone, trialling new technologies to improve passenger experience. Now, one of three SMEs selected to develop a trial at the station is looking for volunteers. Aubin is a journey planner and travel companion designed for the autistic community. The app prioritises needs and preference-based travel over the quickest journey. As one of the winners of the Station Innovation Zone, hosted by Connected Places Catapult and Network Rail, they are adding station information and navigation for Bristol Temple Meads Station. Aubin is looking to recruit a number of autistic passengers local to Bristol for the trial over the Summer. These trialists will need to travel in and out of the Bristol station in order to participate. Trialists will give regular feedback on the functionality of the app and will use this information to further improve Aubin. Participants will need to undertake a minimum number of journeys through the station over a period of 2-3 weeks, offering feedback on each trip. Trialists will receive a voucher for participating. If you’d like to be involved, please contact Corinna Smiles |
| Steampunk Shakespeare at Station Approach On Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th July, graduates of The Actors’ Workshop are performing a contemporary, Steampunk-themed version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night directed by Clara Marullo and Jennifer Higham at the Loco Klub, next to Station Approach. Performances will take place at 7:30pm on 4th July and 1:30pm and 7:30pm on 5th July with tickets priced at £14 and discounts for local residents and Bristol college/school students aged 16 or over attending the matinee on 4th July*. The Actors’ Workshop is a nationally recognised Centre of Excellence for actor training and education, and is currently based at the vacant Robins & Day car dealership on Chatterton Street courtesy of Dandara Living, before the area is redeveloped to provide much needed new homes and units for local businesses. *Terms and conditions apply, please contact The Actors’ Workshop or see the website for details. |
| Revised business roundtable date The next business roundtable will now be held on Friday 30 June, 8am-9.30am. Location tbc. We’ll share more information, including a sign up link, in due course. |
| Join us for a walkaround You can join the team for a short walkaround to see some of the proposed Temple Quarter development sites. The short walkaround takes in the key regeneration sites around Bristol Temple Meads Station. It is approximately one mile and takes just over an hour. It is all on level pavements. Walks take place on the first Monday of the month. The next walk is Monday 5 June. To reserve a place, sign up on Eventbrite. |
| Stay in touch As the project progresses, we’re committed to hearing from local people, businesses, and stakeholders on plans for the future. We’re planning for further engagement activities for the coming months. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Temple Quarter website. Any questions? Email us at TempleQuarter@bristol.gov.uk. |