New images of arena as plans submitted

Money set aside for controlled residents’ parking and improved cycle access are among the tweaks made to plans for the new arena which have finally been submitted to the council.

Details of proposals for a 12-000-capacity £92.5 million arena due to open in 2018 on the old diesel depot behind Bristol Temple Meads have been released alongside new images which show a change to the cladding from glass to steel.

Initial proposals were revealed earlier this year leading to critics calling for more on-site parking spaces and claiming major events would clog the residential streets of Totterdown.

The council’s full proposals, which still need to be granted planning permission, have now been submitted with a number of changes including:

• Money ring-fenced for controlled parking or extensions in current Residents’ Parking Zones nearby (due to be subject to a separate consultation)
• A widened cycle path and walkway from Three Lamps Junction to the arena entrance area, named Arena Terrace
• Park and ride services for all events of more than 9,000 people (instead of 10,000)
• Shuttle trains to Bristol Parkway for the largest events
• Cycle parking outside the arena increased to 250 from 200
• Cladding from glass to steel

The changes come after a pre-planning consultation found 86 per cent of people fully or broadly support the arena plans. Eighty-six per cent of respondents also supported the idea of pop-up events on Arena Terrace.

The Arena Terrace, which will have informal seating and a performance area, will eventually be surrounded by business and flats as part of the wider Arena Island plans.

Mayor George Ferguson said: “The consultation has demonstrated the strong support that exists for the arena, with some reservations regarding access and transport connections that we have listened to carefully, resulting in a number of changes being made to the plans.

“This includes further consideration of traffic and parking management and an improvement of pedestrian and cycle access from arena Three Lamps Junction to the arena site, something that local residents were particularly keen to achieve.”

A change has been made to the cladding at the top of the arena, with perforated steel replacing glass, giving the potential to incorporate public art.

Nicholas Reynold, head of the design team at Populous, said: “During daylight the curving form and reflective cladding catch the light, changing with the weather and season; whilst at night, with the facade softly illuminated, the striking form is most evident, becoming a new landmark in Bristol.

“The extraordinary setting of Arena Island is brought to life through dynamic landscapes and a series of terraces that flow from river to park, and through village to a new public square, providing the platform for a whole range of outdoor events and community activities.”

Two planning applications have been submitted to the council; a full planning application for how the arena will look and be accessed on the day it opens and an outline planning application for how sites adjacent to the arena could be developed over time.

Two public information sessions are being held in December with a presentation of the submitted proposals and an opportunity to ask questions of the project team.

They will take place on December 8, 7pm-8.30pm at the Engine Shed and on December 10, 7pm-8.30pm at Totterdown Baptist Church.

Further information will also be able at the Central Library from December 1-21 and online at www. bristoltemplequarter.com/arena.

The submission of the planning application marks the start of a statutory consultation period that runs until January 11. Councillors are expected to discuss the plans in February 2016.

The arena is being funded by the city council and money from Bristol’s City Deal with the Government.

The planning bid can be viewed here.

Top picture shows people arriving at the arena from the proposed St Philip’s Marsh Footbridge