News / Housing
Shopping centre set to be demolished under redevelopment plans
Developers have unveiled their plans for a complete overhaul of a shopping precinct in south Bristol.
The Redcatch Development Partnership say their £150m proposals will see “the biggest investment in Knowle in a generation”.
They want to knock down the Broadwalk Shopping Centre and its car park to make way for a mixed-used development that includes around 800 new homes.
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The current name of the centre is also to be dropped, with the new development to be known as the “Redcatch Quarter”.
Plans have been unveiled for a a complete overhaul of Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle – photo Ellie Pipe
Under the proposals, a new pedestrianised street will be built between Wells Road and Redcatch Park, through the middle of where the current shopping centre building is.
On both sides of the street will be a number of multi-storey apartment blocks with space for shops, cafes and businesses on the ground floor.
Unveiling the plans, Francis Hilton, project manager for the Redcatch Quarter, said: “We are determined to bring forward this scheme that contributes to the local community and ensures that the next 50 years sees a fantastic heart to Knowle”.
The shopping centre is set to be demolished to make way for a new pedestrianised street lined with multi-storey apartment blocks – photo: Redcatch Development Partnership
The existing retailers in Broadwalk, which was built in the 1970s, include B&M, Iceland and Poundland, but it is unclear how many will be part of the Redcatch Quarter.
“Some are choosing to leave, some are very happy to vacate and come back, and it’s a series of ongoing discussions,” added Hilton in the unveiling on Thursday.
“The general sentiment is that Broadwalk is no longer suitable for today’s retail habits.
“That, coupled with the poor condition and fabric of the building, is leading to this total redevelopment of the site.”
Reassurances were also given that the library and dental practice in Broadwalk will move to the new development. But nothing was said about the future of the bingo hall and snooker club.
The street will connect Wells Road to Redcatch Park, with shops, cafes and businesses on the bottom of the new buildings – photo: Redcatch Development Partnership
A previous planning application for the regeneration of Broadwalk – which would have seen only part of the centre demolished and 420 homes built – was approved in 2019.
On Thursday, the Redcatch Quarter project team said that parts of the previous application will be incorporated into a new one.
This includes the maximum height of buildings (12 storeys) and the levels of “affordable” housing (13 per cent).
The project team also said that the redevelopment will include an “appropriate” amount of parking to replace the existing multi-storey car park.
There are plans as well for a car club, 1,600 cycle spaces and the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme around the site.
There will also be a community hub, and space for a library and dental practice, which are currently.in Broadwalk – photo: Redcatch Development Partnership
Hilton also said on Thursday: “I don’t envision a massive shopping centre with an anchor store in the middle.
“But town centre shops will be there such as your butcher, baker and candlestick maker, for want of a better expression.
“There is an opportunity for local people to bring in independent shops as well as the potential for a larger supermarket to come into a smaller unit.”
An outline planning application for the proposed development is due to be submitted in the spring.
If given the go-ahead, construction could start in mid-2023 and take four years to complete.
Main photo: Redcatch Development Partnership
Read more: Shopping centre redevelopment plans back on table after years of delay
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