‘Landmark plan for landmark site’ 20-storey tower block planned
A20-STOREY tower block is planned for a key city centre site opposite Temple Meads station.
Developers Dandara plans the block of flats at the former Robins & Day Peugeot dealership and garage site on the corner of Clarence Road and Temple Gate.
They bought the site last year, after the garage closed in March 2021.
The plans, which will be presented at a public exhibition next week, include 400 build-to-rent flats, new shops and cafe units on the ground floor and filling in a ‘missing link’ on a key cross-Bristol cycle path.
Dandara are the city council’s ‘development partner’ at one of the five Bedminster Green sites, where they are constructing a 17-storey tower block as part of plans for 316 build to rent flats on Malago Road, and the firm has also applied to city council planners to build another 350 homes across the road around Bedminster Green.
There will be a public exhibition of the plans at the Engine Shed at Temple Meads on Tuesday from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.
A Dandara spokesperson said it was a ‘landmark site’ and needed a ‘landmark building.’
“It is a prominent location that warrants a landmark building to identify the gateway to the city centre,” he said. “The scheme is conceived as a set of buildings of different heights, detail and materials that cluster around a terraced landscaped courtyard.
“This approach provides a considered silhouette that frames the long views of key heritage assets and also responds in scale to its different neighbours.
“We have sought to design a sustainable and attractive place where new and existing residents feel safe and welcome. We want to create a new community for everyone. Our proposal seeks to transform this highprofile site into a striking new gateway to the city, as part of the exciting new Temple Quarter regeneration.”
Bedminster Green, Whitehouse Lane, Temple Quarter and the area opposite this site at Mead Street are being transformed from light industrial units to densely-packed residential flats.
A range of building heights are proposed across the scheme, the developers said, to create ‘a varied & interesting urban texture and streetscape ‘silhouette.’
The spokesman said: ”Visual impact and heritage experts have worked alongside the architects throughout the entire design process to fully assess key views and ensure impact on nearby heritage assets is appropriately sensitive.”
The proposal includes approximately 400 new homes, all for rent, including affordable homes, the developers said.
Across the site as a whole, 400 flats will be built, but the ground floor on the main roads won’t be residential.
The existing building line on Temple Gate and Clarence Road is to be “pulled back, to allow space for improvements to the public realm including widened pavements around the whole proposal, tree planting and a segregated cycle lane”.
New commercial units are proposed fronting on to Temple Gate and Clarence Road.
The spokesperson said: “Currently the Whitchurch Way cycling route – which passes next to the site – has a missing section, which the proposal would resolve by connecting from the south side of Clarence Road to opposite Temple Meads on the west side of Temple Gate.”
A formal planning application is expected to be submitted after the public consultation event.
The spokesperson said: “Dandara Living is also seeking to collaborate with residents, local groups and citywide organisations to identify ways in which the development can further contribute towards the community.
“Dandara Living welcomes input on options which could include temporary use of the buildings currently on the site for community groups.”