‘Prime harbourside’ location in Bristol emerges for 70 new homes

A ‘prime harbourside’ location in Bristol could be used for apartment blocks providing up to 70 homes, it has emerged - although an iconic bike shop at the site looks set to remain.

The Grove and Prince Street car park, between Prince Street Bridge and the Thekla nightclub, has been passed by Bristol City Council to its developer Goram Homes for development.

And despite its small size, the developer says the location has the potential for around 70 homes, along with shops. Out of the 70 homes, 42 could be sold privately, 21 could be social rent homes and seven available for affordable home ownership - which would be below Goram Homes’ overall target of delivering 47% of its homes as affordable.

The site has been added to Goram Homes’ pipeline of housing development sites across the city, although no planning application has yet been submitted for a approval.

The outline to the site includes the the Mud Dock bike shop and cafe, which is set over two floors in an old harbourside building. In the summer it is popular with people using its balcony for views over the harbour.

When Bristol World asked if the plans would impact the business, a spokesperson for Goram Homes said: “There are no plans to relocate the Mud Dock, and we’re already in conversation with the business owners about the site, to ensure any development planned can benefit the local area.”

Along with this location, Western Harbour, or Cumberland Basin, has also been added to the company’s list of sites to develop. The area around the basin, Hotwells and Ashton Meadows will be redeveloped with new homes and the ageing road network will be either repaired or replaced.

Other existing sites in the pipeline to be developed include Castle Park, the SS Great Britain car park and Baltic Wharf. Bristol City Council has pledged to deliver 1,769 new council homes by 202, using council owned brownfield and derelict sites across Bristol.