News / Clifton Village
Empty site in Clifton Village could become home to shipping container pop-up
The owners of a central site in Clifton Village say that it is no longer viable for them to continue with the mixed-use development they have planning permission to build.
The former WH Smith site on Clifton Down Road was due to be redeveloped by the THAT Group, with The Village promising offices, a restaurant, a gym and shops, including a new Marks & Spencer food store.
But despite plans by THAT Group approved by Bristol City Council in January 2020, the controversial scheme will not be constructed.
is needed now More than ever
THAT Group promised an “exciting new mixed-use development at the heart of Clifton Village” – image: THAT Group
The site bordering Clifton Down Road, Boyce’s Avenue and King’s Road was most recently used as an ice rink in Christmas 2014.
THAT Group demolished the old buildings and began preparing the site for development in 2022 but since then, progress has stalled.
With an increase in construction costs, the London-based developers say that it is now commercially unviable to proceed with the current scheme, opponents to which included Historic England, Bristol Civic Society and the Clifton & Hotwells Improvement Society
Clifton councillor Paula O’Rourke said that that THAT news was “disappointing”.
“Clifton is a vibrant town centre and having a large empty site at its very heart is damaging,” she said.
“For the regeneration of high streets, and for general amenity for residents and visitors to Clifton, we can’t continue to leave this important site boarded up and empty – as it has been for over eight years.”
The development site is on the corner of and Clifton Down Road and Boyce’s Avenue – photo: Martin Booth
Fellow Green councilor Katy Grant added: “While we understand the challenges and we will support THAT Group in revisions for their next planning proposals, we will be focussing on how the site could be developed for attractive and regenerative ‘meanwhile’ use.
“By this, we mean that we will be working with THAT Group to bring the site back into temporary activity.
“We would like to see something like Wapping Wharf style units placed on the site while THAT Group reassess their options.”
Could Wapping Wharf-style shipping containers be coming to Clifton Village? – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read next:
- Plans to replace derelict building in Clifton Village with shops and offices approved
- ‘Brunch, coffee and hair of the dog’ at new restaurant
- Clifton Village traders unite to pan pedestrianisation plans
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