News / Western Harbour
Western Harbour masterplanners ‘to map out future of one of UK’s most extraordinary places’
A London-based team has been appointed to develop the masterplan for Bristol’s Western Harbour.
Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands (LDS) has previous experience in Bristol as the masterplanners for the Hengrove Park development on the site of the former Whitchurch Airport.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said the Western Harbour project was moving to an “exciting time” while LDS director Alex Lifschutz said he is looking forward “to map out the future of one of the most extraordinary places in the UK to suffer from under investment”.
is needed now More than ever
The Cumberland Basin road network dates back to 1965 and currently experiences traffic levels two and a half times higher than it was meant to when built – photo: Rob Browne
The vision for the Western Harbour – an area extending from Hotwells across the Cumberland Basin and New Cut to Greville Smyth Park – is to “be a distinctive gateway to Bristol”, “support a thriving community”, “build on its tradition of innovation”, and “embrace freedom and nature”.
It will be up to LDS to turn this vision into the masterplan for the area, incorporating roads and bridges new and old around thousands of new homes and new flood defences.
A bus makes its way along Cumberland Basin Road during Tuesday’s high tide – photo: Rob Browne
Rees said: “Developing a quality masterplan is a key phase in shaping the future of Western Harbour and delivering new homes in a sustainable location.
“We are looking to the masterplan team to work across the whole city, including a refreshed Western Harbour Advisory Group.
“This will set out in detail where the new homes, community spaces, businesses and greenspaces that Bristol needs could go, in line with our agreed vision for the area, while planning for modern transport and flooding infrastructure.
“Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands have demonstrated they have an innovative technically excellent team that will work with the city to deliver the Western Harbour vision.
“It’s an exciting time now that we have a masterplan team on board and this next phase of the project can commence.”
An early image of the proposed Western Harbour bore a striking similarity to Wapping Wharf – image: Bristol City Council
Lifschutz said: “We’re delighted our team has been selected to masterplan Western Harbour, working with Bristol City Council and local communities to map out the future of one of the most extraordinary places in the UK to suffer from under investment.
“The site is framed by three Brunel masterpieces, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, his abandoned Grade II* swivel bridge and the SS Great Britain to the east.
“And it’s studded with other wonderful assets including the Floating Harbour locks and Cumberland Basin, Silvia Crowe’s landscape, parkland and mudflats.
“As a student in Bristol living on the Hotwells Road (sic), I remember seeing the hulk of the SS Great Britain being towed into the Cumberland Basin over 50 years ago before being restored in its original dry dock.
“Having worked on the regeneration of London’s South Bank with local residents for many years, what a privilege to be able to contribute now to the renewal of this historic place in Bristol.”
The masterplan to determine the future of the Western Harbour including the layout of roads, public spaces and buildings, the height and scale of buildings, and the mix of uses – map: Bristol City Council
In his last major speech as Bristol mayor, Rees said that he thought the original Western Harbour plan “would be welcomed”.
“I was wrong,” he added, remembering a meeting in January 2020 organised by the Labour Party at Holy Trinity Church in Hotwells.
“The overwhelming mood was anger,” Rees told the audience at the Bristol Beacon.
“I stood on stage by myself listening as some people asked legitimate questions and others accused me of all sorts.”
Marvin Rees has said several times since the public meeting in Hotwells in January 2020 that he was on stage on his own in front of an angry crowd – photo by Martin Booth
The Western Harbour masterplan is due to be completed by summer 2025, after which Bristol City Council will look for further funding for the key infrastructure projects in the area.
If these two things both happen, 2026 and 2027 will see planning applications submitted and approvals likely granted, with building work starting on site in 2028 which are estimated to take six years.
Main photo: Rob Browne
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
