Land owned by Wales & West Utilities has been sold to the University of Bristol as it seeks to transform the former industrial area as part of an inner-city regeneration plan. The gas emergency and pipeline service has owned the land in Avon Street – the location of two old gas holders - for a number of years.
The future development of these sites represents important future steps in the evolution of the University’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. Plans include a number of new academic buildings, while the proposed car-free development will also include a new public square, pedestrian routes to Barton Hill, additional bus and ferry stops and a footbridge over the floating harbour.
The bridge would link the island to the railway station and academic buildings at the University’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus on the former Royal Mail sorting office site in Cattle Market Road, which received planning permission from Bristol City Council in March.
We are delighted to play our part in supporting the regeneration of the Avon Street area of the city.
Historically, this land housed two gas holders. For decades they played key roles in storing the gas needed to heat and power local homes and businesses.
In recent times, thanks to modern ways of planning gas supply and demand, we can now store all the gas Bristol needs in our pipes below the ground.
The plans that Bristol University has to transform this land is a fantastic example of regeneration.
The University recently held a public consultation ahead of submitting an outline planning application. It will seek consent for a mix of research, enterprise and education areas, totalling up to 100,000 sq m GIA, along with improved public spaces.
The site of the decommissioned historic gas holders, which date from the early 1800s, form the heart and catalyst for the development of this part of the new campus.
The development of these sites represents an important next step in the evolution of our Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus and will act as a catalyst to stimulate future development in St Philip’s.