Western Harbour to be ‘what Bristolians want it to be’ under updated plans

Half of all of the new homes built within the proposed ‘Western Harbour’ development will be affordable under the latest plans put forward by Bristol City Council.

Riverside Garden Centre and the Brunel Way pump track will also be “accommodated within the area” with one of the enormous bonded warehouses converted into “a mixed-use cultural hub for the whole city”.

Western Harbour is the name given by the council to an area stretching from Hotwells to Greville Smyth Park, with initial plans from 2019 including options for either a new bridge in front of the Suspension Bridge or a four-lane bridge between the Nova Scotia and the Pump House.

Original plans for the Western Harbour included a new road going through the middle of Riverside Garden Centre – photo: Martin Booth

But the council have since gone back to the drawing board, saying that they have now “deliberately taken a long-term, step-by-step approach to the regeneration of the area, acknowledging the significance it holds to people from across Bristol and the need to ensure any plans reflect what Bristolians want it to be”.

A draft vision for the area has now been published, which “will guide change, including informing detailed masterplanning starting later in 2022, based on the common themes and ideas given by Bristolians”.

Bristol mayor Marvin Rees has previously said that the ageing Plimsoll Swing Bridge needs to be removed to open up the area to housing, but there is no mention of the bridge in the draft vision, which instead says that “historic buildings and infrastructure will be restored, reused and celebrated”.

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One of the three surviving bonded warehouses in the area will be transformed into an arts centre – photo: Martin Booth

Rees said: “This vision gives us a clear understanding of the kind of place Bristolians want Western Harbour to be.

“The ideas and principles set out in the vision are ambitious and far-reaching. We are committed to making Western Harbour an example of how transformative, positive change can come forward that supports community life, while meeting the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and changes to how we live, work, and play in our cities.

The area called ‘Western Harbour’ stretches from Hotwells to Greville Smyth Park – map: Bristol City Council

“We know how important this area is to local people and to the wider city. To make sure the vision reflects community hopes and aspirations, we have spent months engaging with and listening to the community to get to this point.

“These conversations have shaped the draft vision for Western Harbour, and now we want more feedback from the public before any more detailed decisions about the future are made.”

The consultation on the draft Western Harbour vision is open until April 22. To read more and to take part, visit bristol.citizenspace.com/growth-regeneration/harbour-hopes-western-harbour

Marvin Rees says that he is “committed to making Western Harbour an example of “transformative, positive change” – photo: Bristol City Council

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Rees faces public for first time to discuss Western Harbour plans

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