Major plans unveiled for 1,500 new homes near Temple Meads station

Bristol City Council have revealed plans to transform a business park near Temple Meads station into a mixed-use neighbourhood that will include new homes, workspaces and transport routes.

The proposals, outlining the build of more than 1,000 new homes on Mead Street, were published today (Tuesday, May 24) as a six-week consultation into the plans begins.

The major scheme forms part of the Temple Quarter project which aims to bring up to 10,000 new homes and 22,000 new jobs to Bristol over the next 20 years by regenerating the area around Temple Meads station.

Bristol City Council says that Mead Street has the potential to deliver 1,500 of these homes, along with employment space for over 500 jobs, improved public spaces, and new sustainable travel routes.

Motorbike dealer Fowlers on Mead Street will be retained in the development, BristolWorld understands.

The area is close to a number of other developments including on Whitehouse Street and Bedminster Green.

Mead Street is also a stone’s throw away from Clarence Road where Dandara Living want to build a 20-storey apartment block.

Residents, businesses, developers and community groups are now invited to give their feedback on a draft development brief which sets out the vision for the project.

What’s included in the plans?

1) 1,500 new homes across the regeneration area

2) New public open space including children’s play area

3) New ‘active travel corridor’ including 400m of cycle and walking route

It is estimated that the development will create around 500 jobs.

Existing businesses

The Mead Street home to a number of businesses, including major motorbike dealer Fowlers of Bristol and Freedog trampoline park, and is currently marked as a Principal Industrial and Warehousing Area (PIWA) in the adopted local plan.

According to the consultation documents, Fowlers is set to be retained.

But the Council said the existing buildings and ‘do not contribute positively to the character of the area’ and it is thought that some businesses will have to relocate to make way for new homes.

The consultation brief reads: “Bristol City Council’s Economic Development team have been engaging with businesses in the area to better understand their needs and to help them begin to plan for re-provision of employment space or relocation if required and where possible.”

What are the Council saying?

Bristol City Council is striving to build 2,000 homes in the city every year, with at least 800 of those deemed ‘affordable’, by 2024.

Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said that Mead Street was ‘ideally located’ to help take on that challenge, being close to Temple Meads station and within walking distance from jobs and leisure in the city centre.

He added: “Our regeneration plans for Temple Quarter and St Philip’s Marsh are unashamedly ambitious as we plan for the homes, jobs and public spaces that Bristol needs.

“The proposals for Mead Street in this development brief represent the next stage of this exciting project and reflect the need to bring new homes and jobs to the city while tackling the challenges of the climate and ecological emergencies.

“Temple Quarter will have an impact on the whole city as it becomes a world-class gateway to Bristol over the coming years.

“We want people from across the city to have their say on the ideas set out here, so that we can create a new neighbourhood that meets Bristolians’ needs for the future.”

How can I have my say?

The council will be hosting two drop-in events at LPW House on Princess Street, Bristol BS3 4AG on Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday June 23, from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

People can also find out more and share their views online by visiting: Mead Street – Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and completing the consultation survey on Citizenspace by Monday, July 4.

Following feedback from the public, and if given the go ahead by Cabinet, the development brief would be considered alongside planning policy and a site analysis to guide any future development.

Detailed designs, including the height, locations and appearances of new buildings, lie outside the scope of the brief and would be determined through detailed planning applications as individual sites within Mead Street emerge.