News / Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone
Unknown extra costs in redevelopment of ‘renowned eyesore’
Development of the dilapidated eyesore that greets visitors arriving into Temple Meads has been a long time coming.
Mayor Marvin Rees described the regeneration of the neglected area around the former Royal Mail sorting office as one of the things that has “hung around the city’s neck” at a meeting on Tuesday, where his cabinet agreed to the reallocation of funds to enable works to progress.
The council sold the land to the University of Bristol for a new £300m campus in March 2017, but is under contractual obligation to cover the costs of demolishing the existing structure.
is needed now More than ever
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Read more: Former sorting office site sold to become uni campus
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This is now proving more complex than previously thought and, while shuffling around £11.25m of allocated funding will stop work from stalling, cabinet papers reveal that the overall cost to public money is likely to exceed the currently-approved budget.
The full amount of additional spending is still unknown, but a report with more details is expected to come to cabinet in April.
Presenting the report, deputy mayor Craig Cheney said: “The investigations and analysis have revealed that whilst some required works will cost less than anticipated, other works will cost more than originally foreseen.
“In order to maintain progress and not delay the project any further, revisions between existing approved budget lines are necessary to ensure that funds are available in order to allow the council to proceed with the demolition of the sorting office building, as obligated under the sale agreement with the University of Bristol.
“The scope of these works, to demolish the building to ground level, has been agreed with the University of Bristol and the contract and costs agreed with the incumbent contractor, Kier.”
The report warns that any delay to demolition works will result in “significant costs in de-mobilising machinery and in standing down the contractor”.
Visual of the proposed £300m campus
Bristol University formally bought the land behind Temple Meads from Bristol City Council in March 2017 to form part of what has been hailed one of Europe’s largest urban regeneration projects.
Outline planning consent for the new campus was secured in July 2018.
Under the deal, the council has a number of obligations, including; demolition of existing buildings and complete asbestos removal, to “relocate or clear” the cholera burial site on the Cattle Market Road site, secure adjoining structures and complete the Harbour Walkway.
Rees described the prominent structure as “one of the most famous derelict buildings in the city and a renowned eyesore” as he added his approval to plans to progress demolition work swiftly.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Cheney explained that detailed site investigation works in preparation for the demolition of the sorting office building have thrown up “a more detailed understanding” of the various costs of works required of the council.
The scope required to demolish the eyesore to ground level has been agreed, with a hint that it could be the underground area causing issues.
Discussions are ongoing between the council and university to establish the most cost effective and mutually-satisfactory solution.
Cabinet papers conclude: “Demolition of the sorting office building will represent a significant milestone in progressing the redevelopment of this landmark site and will signal the city’s intention for the future regeneration of the wider Temple Quarter – supporting other proposals such as the refurbishment and improvement of Bristol Temple Meads station.”
Read more: Final countdown for former sorting office
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