News / Bristol Arena
Revealed: the alternative vision for Arena Island
A conference centre, hotel, 550 homes and two large office blocks could be built on Arena Island – if the mayor decides this is the best use of the site.
The derelict land near Temple Meads has long been earmarked as the location of the 12,000-capacity arena, but a value for money report, published by KPMG, indicated that a mixed-use development could bring more economic benefit to the city than a concert venue.
Now, Legal & General has unveiled its vision for what a mixed-use project might look like, as it sets out plans to “transform the five-acre plot into a vibrant new quarter, with a focus on social inclusion through affordable housing, training, and employment”.
is needed now More than ever
Publication of the proposals follows hot on the heels of the news that an extraordinary council meeting will be held to thrust debate over the future of Arena Island into the public eye. This will take place the day before mayor Marvin Rees is due to make his decision on the use of the city centre site.
The Arena Island site has been derelict for some time
These latest proposals – complete with their promises to be more environmentally-friendly and focus on social cohesion – could be yet another indication that the arena will not be built by Temple Meads.
………………………
Read more: Extraordinary meeting to discuss future of Arena Island
………………………
Legal & General is a major stakeholder in Temple Quarter and the company says its proposed scheme will help build a “resilient city centre offer for Bristol in the face of current structural changes in retailing, culture and leisure”.
But bosses of Arena Island Ltd, the company behind plans for an arena on the plot by Temple Meads, have repeatedly said their proposals are “shovel-ready” and have warned that failing to go ahead with the project could leave Bristol without an arena for years to come.
This much-published vision for an arena near Temple Meads may never become a reality
The alternative location for an arena in the Brabazon Hangar on the former Filton airfield is yet to go through the planning process.
………………………
Read more: ‘A campaign to discredit a Bristol city centre arena is unnecessary’
………………………
Rees has refused to bow to pressure from the public and councillors, who want to see an arena built in the city centre, maintaining that he will make an “evidence-based decision” on the best use of Arena Island.
Nigel Wilson, CEO of Legal & General, said: “Our investment partnerships in cities such as Cardiff and Newcastle are already delivering at pace, and likewise, our vision for the Temple Island could deliver a much-needed new quarter in Bristol, with the conference centre it needs to attract events and delegates from around the world, whilst also generating employment opportunities and economic growth.
“We have been attracted by Bristol City Council’s commitment to become a “city for all” and, with our existing significant stake in Temple Quarter, want to see the best decision for the city prevail.
“We firmly believe this mix of development at Temple Island best complements the broader regeneration proposals for the area surrounding a redeveloped Temple Meads station, and offers a perfect fit with Bristol University’s new innovation campus.”
Legal & General’s vision for the site (complete with balloons)
The proposals, designed by Zaha-Hadid Architects (ZHA), include a large capacity conference centre and exhibition space, a 345-room hotel, 550 new homes – of which 220 would be affordable – and two major “Grade A” office buildings, which the company says would drive further business rate income for Bristol City Council, due to the site being within an Enterprise Zone.
Legal & General says the scheme would be a more environmentally-friendly option, compared with proposed plans for an arena, due to a commitment to BREEAM Excellent status for the buildings and less car use.
The ultimate decision of location for an arena rests with Marvin Rees
With the options now clearly on the table, it will ultimately be down to Rees to make the final decision at the cabinet meeting on September 4.
Former mayor George Ferguson swiftly made his views known on the new plans. He said: “This is a crass development and clearly comes out of desperation. Is this really what we want to welcome people to Bristol with?
“I suspect that this proposal will be a huge mayoral own goal and a big reveal as to why KPMG came up with their highly improbable figures.”
Read more: Does Bristol even need an arena?
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
