'Draft masterplan' published on the future of Western Harbour
The City Council has published a 'draft masterplan' for how and where it wants to build new homes, businesses, walking and cycling routes and roads
Bristolians can now have a say on major plans to totally transform the Western end of the city's Harbourside.
The City Council has published a 'draft masterplan' for how and where it wants to build new homes, businesses, walking and cycling routes and roads.
The idea is to build as many as 1,200 new homes at the end towards the Cumberland Basin.
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: “We’ve listened to feedback and have adjusted our proposals for Western Harbour based on how people felt about the initial ideas shared back in the autumn.
“We’re delighted to be able to retain Riverside Garden Centre in its current location and look forward to continuing our work with them to develop plans for how the garden centre will look in the future.
“Ashton Meadows will remain a green open space linking Greville Smyth Park to the river and to the recreational spaces of Ashton Court and Leigh Woods beyond.
“The draft masterplan also addresses the acute need for housing in Bristol, proposing between 750 and 1200 new homes for the area whilst ensuring the Grade II-listed bonded warehouses, while repurposed remain the dominant features of the skyline to the west of the city.”
This is the next stage in the proposals, after the local authority gathered opinions on how the area could be improved back in the Autumn of last year.
Now, working with technical experts and masterplanners, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Bristol City Council say they have now considered all the feedback gathered, alongside the findings from technical surveys and research, and developed detailed proposals that form the draft masterplan.
There was significant support to keep Brunel Way overpass where it is, whilst the proposals include improvements to the landscape around the overpass and freeing up space for trees and wildlife by replacing the many interweaving routes with a single road.
We're told this has the potential to remove around five football pitches of tarmac.
Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee and Harbour Committee, said: “One key part of the masterplan is how we can make Western Harbour more accessible, by improving pedestrian and cycle paths and creating better connections to make it easier to get around and enjoy the area.
"A riverside park and elevated riverwalk that would integrate with the Bristol Avon Flood Strategy flood defences would enhance the experience for anyone walking, cycling or wheeling through Western Harbour, encouraging them to stop and enjoy the views whilst also engaging with nature.
“By bringing together the well-established assets, heritage and communities in the area with a mix of new shops, cafés, cultural uses, creative workspaces and homes we can create a vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood.
“There are still many steps ahead of us before we can begin any work on the ground, including works to address the ageing road and bridge network. We will continue to provide opportunities for you to have your say and influence the evolving masterplan.”
You can view the masterplan’s detailed proposals and complete a short survey online to tell the council what you think at www.harbourhopes.co.uk until Sunday 9 March 2025.
Exhibitions presenting the proposals can be visited at a number of locations, including the Create Centre from 11 February to 5 March, or at the Museum Square from 11 February to 9 March.