‘Major milestone’ in Temple Quarter regeneration project

A “major milestone” has been reached for a huge regeneration project as people in Bristol can now have their say on plans to transform Temple Meads Station and the land surrounding it.

The Temple Quarter regeneration programme, under which 130 hectares of land would be redeveloped to make way for a series of mixed-use communities, including office and commercial spaces, a pedestrianised civic square, a conference centre, student housing and more, has gained momentum with the publishing of a development framework.

Published on Tuesday, the masterplan outlines billion-pound regeneration of the area around Temple Meads station and into St Philip’s Marsh and The Dings by breaking down the plot of land into six ‘character areas’.

At the heart of the plans is a total overhaul of Temple Meads Station, with three new entrances planned, including one leading directly into the University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus, retail spaces planned, improved passenger facilities to make the station “modern, safer and more efficient”.

The regeneration of the area, leading by a partnership project between Bristol City Council, the West of England Combined Authority, Homes England and Network Rail, will create 10,000 new homes, thousands of new jobs and bring £1.6b annual income to the city’s economy, according Bristol Temple Quarter bosses.

Work could start next year and will be phased over the next 20 years.

Three new or significantly improved station entrances are planned for the north, south and east of Bristol Temple Meads station which will reconnect the station with its neighbouring areas – image: Network Rail

Described as a “a major milestone for the UK’s largest regeneration programme” by the project’s leaders, a consultation has now been launched to understand the views of residents and stakeholders.

It breaks the series of brownfield sites and industrial estates into six areas, Bristol Temple Meads Station, City Gateway, Friary North, Temple Gate, Mead Street and St Philip’s Marsh, with plans well in advance for three.

Temple Meads Station will become accessible to passengers travelling to the station from the north, south, east and west of the city for the first time in its history.

Aiming to accommodate a forecast doubling of passengers in the next 25 years, people arriving at the station by bus will be brought to a new bus hub at a new bus and transport interchange at the north side at the Friary, where the existing car parks will be built on with a new station facilities and shops created.

At Mead Street, which lies at the bottom of Pyllee Hill, external developers have plans for thousands of new flats in the pipeline.

Kirsten Durie, Network Rail programme director, said there will be a new entrance on land previously occupied by the Royal Mail sorting office that is set to become part of the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus – photo: Betty Woolerton

The proposals will be made possible by almost £100 million handed down from the government, through Homes England, in June as part of its ‘levelling up’ scheme.

Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said: “Publishing this document is another step on the journey for Temple Quarter after years of work to get to this stage.

“Combined with the government funding we secured in 2022, we now have a clear and ambitious vision for delivering the affordable homes, new jobs and sustainable infrastructure the city needs to build a good pattern of life for residents here.

“The consultation is a chance for Bristolians to get their fingerprints on the framework and test the emerging principles for the regeneration of St Philip’s Marsh.”

Metro mayor Dan Norris said: “We are creating a new gateway to the city and wider region that would make Brunel proud.”

A public consultation on the proposals begins on Tuesday and runs until March 8, including an online hub supported by in-person events at community hubs around the area as well as pop-ups in and around Temple Meads station and three creative commissions.

To take part, visit: www.ask.bristol.gov.uk/hub-page/bristol-temple-quarter-development-framework-consultation-12

Main photo: Betty Woolerton

Read next:

• New plans revealed for site opposite Temple Meads after public consultation
• Bristol Temple Quarter gets £95m of government funds to level up
• Huge challenge to get Temple Meads redevelopment cash going to local Bristol firms
• Twenty-storey development proposed for site opposite Temple Meads 

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