Bold vision unveiled for St Philip’s Marsh

The industrial scenery of St Philip’s Marsh could change beyond recognition over the next 30 years as a bold new vision for the area takes shape.

Earmarked as a prime location for regeneration in Bristol City Council’s local plan, the ‘island’ stretching from Temple Meads to Netham Weir is flanked on all sides by waterways and already has several sites undergoing or set for redevelopment.

A group, known as the Marsh Makers, have unveiled a masterplan for the area that seeks to preserve independent businesses and existing communities while setting out an ambitious five-phase set of changes.

Their proposals could see the creation of a new waterfront leisure strip, with bars restaurants and light entertainment, the transformation of GWR’s service yard into a large communal park, a mixed-use development of housing and businesses on Feeder Road and more sustainable transport links.

Mike Smith is one of four architecture master’s students from UWE Bristol, along with Daniel Sliwa, Jason Li and Klaudia Kerry, who has led the project and creation of the Marsh Makers group, which comprises community agencies, local businesses and technical advisors.

“We have undertaken this project to give the communities within and surrounding St Philip’s Marsh a fighting chance against the corporate developer,” explains Mike.

“By considering the local residents, communities and businesses thoughts and opinions from an early stage we have understood what is important to them.

“This has helped to inform the proposal, which is more representative of the people than the broad brush version seen in the past and that has recently been produced by Bristol City Council in their Local Development Plan.

“Our intention was to propose something that would stimulate conversations about the future of the marsh before the infiltration of white collar developers begin. With the creation of the Marsh Maker website the residents, communities and businesses now have a place to channel their thoughts and concerns which we hope will eventually be listened to by the council.”

The masterplan for St Philip’s Marsh aims to preserve communities and independent businesses – image by Mike Smith/ Marsh Maker group

The group says the masterplan seeks to address concerns around the erosion of grassroots businesses and communities in favour of more “white collar” industry. It takes into account the need for flood prevention measures, as well as existing developments, including the University of Bristol’s new Temple Campus and plans for Silverthorne Lane.

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It highlights certain “unique spaces” that should be preserved. These include Motion, Bristol Fruit Market, which has been operating in the area since 1917, Bristol Animal Rescue Centre, The Spicery, Tapestry Brewery, St Philip’s Marsh Nursery School and Sparke Evans Park – the only existing communal green space in the area.

The group also intend to supply more affordable and social housing as part of their masterplan.

The five-phase plan spans the next 30 years:

Phase one – in the next one to five years

• Will see the university campus and other existing developments get underway.
• Repairs to the flyover and creation of a new pedestrian walkway.
• Installation of ground source heat pumps under Netham Park and Feeder Canal to help lower carbon emissions.

Phase two – ten to 15 years

• Infiltration of development to the west side of St Philip’s Marsh, with the creation of a new leisure strip boasting active waterfront with bars restaurants and light entertainment, setting a precedent for developments to come.

Phase three – 15 to 20 years

• The building of new active, ground floor spaces with residential units above.
• Addition of large green courtyards and a creative hub.

Phase four – 20 to 25 years

• To the east of the fruit market lies a concrete production facility, which “would be counterproductive to move” until previous phases are complete.
• Following completion, the site would be turned into mixed-use residential and office units.

Phase five – 25 to 30 years

• Completion of all major redevelopment and conversion of railway service yard into a large public park.

*The Marsh Makers have created two masterplans; one that includes the redevelopment of the service yard and one that doesn’t.

The masterplan includes a new mixed-use development on Feeder Road – image by Klaudia Kerry/ Marsh Maker group

The group is already working with a number of community groups and businesses both in St Philip’s Marsh and surrounding neighbourhoods and welcomes further input via www.marshmaker2020.wixsite.com/marshmaker.

Main image by Klaudia Kerry/ Marsh Maker group

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