News / Temple Island
Concerns raised over amount of guaranteed affordable housing on Temple Island
Delivery of housing on Temple Island, as part of a mixed-use development, is hailed as key to the inclusive “re-energisation” of the wider area.
But Bristol’s deputy mayor admitted that the council holds no real power to assure private partner Legal & General (L & G) fulfils its stated ambition to build homes with at least 40 per cent affordable provision.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, councillors pointed out the asset management firm has already gone back on a previous commitment in the city.
is needed now More than ever
Tony Carey, a Conservative councillor for Brislington East, said: “We made a decision on an application from L & G stating a specific number of affordable dwellings and they then came back a few months later and reduced it to a much lesser number.
“How can the council assure that this figure we are quoting now is maintained?”
Responding, deputy mayor Craig Cheney said: “It’s quite difficult in the current world to do that. Regulations don’t allow us. We will work with them as we always do.”
He continued: “This council is delivering on affordable housing and this project will align entirely with our corporate priorities. L & G have clear understanding of our commitment to affordable housing and mixed-use.”
The bridge is now open – but all it leads to is a metal cage
L & G first revealed plans to for a mixed-use development – including 550 homes, two office blocks, retail units, a hotel and conference centre – on the derelict brownfield site formerly known as Arena Island in August 2018.
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Read more: Revealed: the alternative vision for Arena Island
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At Tuesday’s meeting, cabinet members approved plans to continue discussions with the company, which will have exclusive rights over the site if the agreement goes ahead, and commit a further £500,000 to enable the progression of proposals.
Business West Chambers of Commerce & Initiative and Destination Bristol both expressed their support for the plans, with the latter saying that the development will “contribute to a much-improved gateway into this part of Bristol city centre”.
Opposition councillors raised concerns about the proposed agreement.
Drawing comparisons with the Faraday case in 2018, whereby West Berkshire Council was found to have entered into an “ineffective contract” that was “ultimately unlawful, Paula O’Rourke, a Green councillor for Clifton, asked for assurance that the potential partnership won’t put the council at similar legal risk.
She was told independent legal advice had been sought.
An artist’s impression of what Bristol Arena next to Temple Meads could have looked like
L & G’s vision for the site
Lib Dem mayoral candidate Mary Page described the original arena plans for the site as a “beacon of hope” for Bristolians and slammed the proposed contract terms – under which the council will be responsible for sub-letting one of the office blocks for 40 years – as an irresponsible squandering of council resources.
Cheney responded that a home is a “beacon of hope” for many in housing need.
Martin Fodor, a Green councillor for Redland, said: “The site has been prepared at public expense for a public project, now cancelled by the mayor.
“How will maximum transparency be demonstrated so the fullest return on the public investment already made in the site be recouped and how will the greatest community benefits be secured through social value?”
Cheney said: “These proposals form a key part of the redesign and re-energisation of the Temple Quarter area – the station and surrounding area has long been left behind and developing the area and improving connectivity are part of plans to extend city centre east to Temple Quarter and west to Western Harbour.
“It’s all part of the masterplan for bringing homes and families to city centre.”
He added: “To use this city centre site for homes and mixed-use is the most sustainable option.”
The contribution the scheme makes in fulfilling council duties will be assessed in several ways. It’s expected that details of the analysis will come to cabinet.
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