Detailed plans have been submitted for a £30m mixed-use development at long-neglected Redcliff Wharf, Bristol’s last major high-profile waterfront site.
Urban regeneration specialist Complex Development Projects (CDP) has submitted the application to Bristol City Council for a scheme on the site, which has been vacant for nearly 30 years.
It is the second full planning application for the site - a similar application was submitted about 10 years ago but later withdrawn.
CDP was successful in winning a council tender, which included an amended design brief.
The main feature of the scheme is a sustainable 40,000 sq ft office building for professional services company Arup, whose 350-strong Bristol team based nearby in St Thomas St, will relocate to Redcliff Wharf. There will also be a mix of waterside cafe/restaurants with outside terraces overlooking the harbour, workshops and 36 residential units.
CDP managing director Ian Harrabin said: “The detailed application is the result of many years’ work. We have been in discussion with Bristol City Council for the last four years and have worked closely with them to deliver a well-designed and pragmatic scheme.
“The unique heritage of this site and the historic connections with the glass making industry also struck a chord with us. In conjunction with the British Glass Foundation we have recently carried out the sensitive restoration of the former Stuart Glass Works, Stourbridge in the West Midlands to provide a new museum and 18 homes.
“We are fortunate to have been able to draw on previous design work to hone the designs and individual features to bring forward a financially viable and deliverable scheme on what is a complex site, the usage of which dates back many hundreds of years.”
The design, by Bristol-based Alec French Architects working with other local specialists, incorporates many Harbourside features and retains some of the original buildings which require renovation and will be transformed into workshops.
Arup Bristol office leader Phil Wood said: “CDP’s plans for Redcliff Wharf represent an exciting new step for Arup Bristol. For more than 40 years, we have been based in the city centre and our planned new office – one which our engineers and technical specialists will design with Alec French Architects – will keep us at the heart of this dynamic and creative city.
“Arup is one of the largest employers of engineering and specialist technical consultants in Bristol. With our numbers in Bristol now at 350 our new office will be designed to maximise sustainability and occupant wellbeing.”
The showpiece office will incorporate many leading energy saving technology features and the developer is hoping the entire development will be built and operate to one of the highest environmental and sustainable standards in the city
It will incorporate a range of features to ensure energy efficiency, monitored water usage, reduced waste during construction and operation, sustainable materials and ecological enhancement measures. There is also the potential to connect to the Redcliff District Heating Network.
The Redcliff Wharf development will be linked to Redcliffe Hill by a new footpath connection through the Quaker Gardens. Public access will be retained through the front of the site, which will feature public art works by well-known artist Alistair Mackie, delivering a continuous pedestrian walkway around the harbourside and an open area for public events. Twelve new secure pontoon berths, six for existing and six for visitors only, will be provided on the site.
Subject to planning approval, it is anticipated work will start onsite in early next year and the site will be fully functional by late 2019. It is estimated that 200 full and part-time jobs will be created by the £30m investment in addition to the 350 Arup staff who will relocate.
