‘NEW LIFE’ HOPE FOR EYESORE SITE
PLANS TO TRANSFORM DERELICT CASTLE PARK AREA AS BUILDINGS BOUGHT UP
[It will be] suitable for ... retail, leisure and new homes. High quality hotel and office uses will also be encouraged 2018 council document
DERELICT buildings that have blighted Castle Park for decades could finally be given a new lease of life.
A cluster of three buildings surrounding the ruined St Mary le Port church tower, in Bristol city centre, have been bought by international investment company Federated Hermes.
Bank House, Bank of England House and Norwich Union House, which sit on the edge of the park next to Wine Street and High Street, are likely to now be redeveloped into offices and commercial units.
A new website set up by the developers says the site has been “derelict for many years” and “left behind for decades”.
Lloyds Banking Group has agreed to end its lease at Bank House, with Federated Hermes securing vacant possession.
The neighbouring two buildings were acquired from Goodman and Aviva Investors, but the freeholds on all three are still owned by Bristol City Council.
MEPC has been appointed as development manager for the project, with architects at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios selected to initiate the designs.
Roz Bird, commercial director at MEPC, said: “The site has huge potential.
“With the acquisition of all three buildings complete, and control of the site under one ownership for the first time in decades, we are now in the position to take forward proposals to transform this historic location.
“We are extremely sensitive about the responsibility for redeveloping such a pivotal and historic site in the centre of Bristol.”
She said they will work in partnership with the community and public sector to “create a great place combining heritage, culture, education and commerce”.
A council document published in 2018 reiterated the hope of redeveloping the site, and “reinstating Mary-le-Port Street to better connect Bristol Shopping Quarter and the Glass Arcade”.
The document continued: “[It will be] suitable for a mix of uses including retail, leisure and new homes. High quality hotel and office uses will also be encouraged as part of the mix.
“The development will be expected to provide a continuation of the retail function of St Nicholas’ Market towards Bristol Shopping Quarter, with an emphasis on providing an environment suitable for small and independent businesses.”
A spokesperson for the investment company said their plans for the site are in the early stages, but that it will likely include a mixed use of commercial and office space.
The council’s 2018 vision for the site said any development there should have a “strong relationship with Castle Park”.
It added: “[There should be] improved access and setting for the St Mary-le-Port church tower, which may take the form of a new public space, and improved access and setting for the High Street vaults, both of which are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.”
Bristol city councillor Nicola Beech, cabinet member with responsibility for city design, said: “I am really pleased to see the acquisition of these three buildings.
“I look forward to working with Federated Hermes and MEPC to deliver a high quality redevelopment of the site, with a focus on transport improvements and excellent areas of public realm.
“We will be working closely with MEPC to ensure that St Mary le Port has a much brighter future.”
The site has been subject to controversy over the years as people disagreed on several failed proposals for redevelopment.
There were protests in 2008 when developer Deeley Freed put forward a plan for the site, which would have meant losing some of the park space.
A public inquiry was held after campaigners applied for town green status, in a bid to block the development.
St Mary Le Port Street used to be a busy road, but it was heavily bombed during the Second World War and almost completely destroyed.
The new project’s website says developers want to create “a new memorable and distinctive place that reinstates lost streets and routes that existed before the Second World War.”