Plans for 19-storey tower block and 350 new rented homes on timber yard site near Bristol city centre

Plans have been unveiled to build 350 new homes in new blocks of flats up to 19 storeys high on the banks of the River Frome close to the end of the M32 motorway in Bristol city centre[1]. The build-to-rent flats would be built on the site of the Scadding Timber Yard, which has been located in St Jude's for 120 years. The development would see a new riverside public park, and the opening up of the east bank of the river to allow a new bridge that forms part of the wider 'Frome Gateway' regeneration scheme that has already seen plans for hundreds of new flats and student accommodation nearby.

The timber yard site is located in a spot behind the Jam Jar and Document arts venues on Pennywell Road in St Judes, and will be transformed with four different buildings with heights ranging from six storeys to nine, 12, 14 and the tallest being 19 storeys. Developers said the presence of a mains sewer running through the middle of the site means they can only build on about a third of the 0.7 hectares of land - so are planning to 'build up' on the land they can build on instead. Developers have set up a website to show off their plans to local residents, and is holding a public exhibition next week that people are invited to attend.

The timber yard, which runs along the river close to Newfoundland Way and the Riverside Park on the opposite bank, has many industrial buildings on it at present. The developers say two-thirds of the site will become a public open space, and there would also be new 'maker and community spaces' on the ground floors of the buildings.

The plans will open up that side of the river and open up the space for a new bridge from Wellington Road across to the Pennywell Road side. The developer is a company called 'PLATFORM_', which will build operate and manage the development of 350 build-to-rent homes, which will be one-, two- and three-bed apartments.

Some 20 per cent of them - or 70 flats in total - will be classed as 'affordable', and let through the council's HomeChoice system to people on the waiting list for new homes. "Our proposal would transform this brownfield site in St Jude's into a new, vibrant, green and welcoming riverside community," a spokesperson for Platform said.

"Our proposed redevelopment would open up the river frontage, deliver new, green public open space, fully extend James Street, create employment spaces for new jobs, build new homes, including affordable and family homes, incorporate cultural space, and help facilitate a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Frome," he added.

"We have been working very closely with Bristol City Council[2] and the developers of the neighbouring sites to ensure the scheme helps deliver the wider aspirations of the Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework - and that the area is comprehensively and cohesively redeveloped. "The need to address Bristol's housing crisis is paramount - and brownfield sites must play a key role. The Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework allows for some taller buildings.

The Scadding Timber site is constrained by the River Frome itself and the presence of the main sewer running through the middle of the site, which means only one third of this site can be built on and we are therefore proposing to build up not out," he said. "This will be a highly sustainable development, with an intention to support connection to the Bristol Heat Network. We're proposing solar panels across a number of the rooftops.

And - given its city centre location - it is a car free scheme, with plenty of cycle storage and investment in improvements to cycle and pedestrian routes.

"Our scheme would create a welcoming and lively riverside park and community garden. The new public open space fronting onto the river will be a wonderful green place for everyone, with seating areas and lawns for summer picnics," he said. "With extensive species-rich riverside planting and lots of new trees, we can create a really lovely place with great biodiversity.

This will be a huge win for the local community, and we hope lots of people will come and meet us at our public consultation event so we can discuss the proposal and hear their feedback," he added. The plans come hot on the heels of major redevelopment plans for the mini retail park[3] just off the bottom of the M32 close to the Cabot Circus Car Park, and plans for purpose-built student accommodation for just under 300 students[4] next door to the timber yard site on Little George Street.

At the timber yard, the plan is to create homes for renters. "To bring the site to life - and create job opportunities - the scheme proposes a number of ground floor commercial and community spaces available to local makers and other spaces to potentially include cafes/restaurants," a spokesperson said. "The apartments for rent would be located above these spaces.

All homes would be bright and spacious, with many enjoying dual aspect (windows on two sides of the apartment). All homes would meet national space standards and have highly efficient layouts.

Illustration of the extended Eugene Street and new bridge adjacent to the scheme - plans for 350 new homes on the site of Scadding Timber in St Judes (Image: Platform)

"Build to Rent homes are focussed on community and communal living. All residents will therefore benefit from the use of shared communal amenities including lounge areas, family and work-from-home spaces, gym, play spaces, private dining room, dog grooming area and rooftop amenity terraces," he added.

The public exhibition of the plans will take place at a community consultation event on Thursday, November 14, between 3pm and 8pm at the Assisi Centre, parish of St Nicholas Tolentino, Lawfords Gate, Bristol, BS5 0RE. The plans can also be seen online here[5].

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References

1. ^ Bristol city centre (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ Bristol City Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
3. ^ major redevelopment plans for the mini retail park (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ purpose-built student accommodation for just under 300 students (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ online here (www.scaddingtimberredevelopment.co.uk)
6. ^ Bristol Live (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
7. ^ click this link and select 'Join Community'. (chat.whatsapp.com)
8. ^ Bristol Live (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
9. ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
10. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community. (chat.whatsapp.com)