Bonded warehouses to remain ‘dominant built structures’ in Western Harbour vision

Council leaders are set to commit to no high-rise tower blocks in the Western Harbour redevelopment as they kickstart the master-planning stage.

Bristol City Council’s cabinet is expected to endorse the “vision” to transform the area around Cumberland Basin following the results of the latest round of public consultation, which have led to tweaks to the document to make clear that the bonded warehouses will remain the “dominant built structures”.

Detailed work will begin later this year if approval is given on Tuesday, with no indications so far about housing numbers or changes to the ageing road network.

And while the council says the vision sets guiding principles for future decision-makers so it is not “appropriate” to define building heights at this stage, it now gives the clearest indication yet that there will be a strict limit on the number of storeys allowed.

The lack of information other than broad themes during the six-week consultation in the spring drew some criticism from residents, with less than half – 48 per cent – agreeing with the overall vision and 25 per cent disagreeing.

The proposed Western Harbour development covers an area of Ashton, Spike Island and Hotwells – photo: Bristol City Council

Plans to “celebrate heritage” came out as the most popular of 24 suggested “commitments” with almost three-quarters in favour, followed by safeguarding treasured assets and celebrating the waterfront, while the 786 respondents agreed least with a suggestion to provide quality homes.

In addition to reiterating the importance of the bonded warehouses to the skyline, other changes made as a result of the feedback include a pledge to provide “key views both from within the area and across the city” and restoring and reusing the historic buildings and infrastructure.

A commitment for Western Harbour to be “welcome to all” has replaced one that said it would “welcome visitors” which proved less popular amid concerns that this would conflict with the intention to create a peaceful area for residents.

Bristol City Council’s response to the consultation results said: “The vision is intended to act as a guide for future creators, citizens and champions of Western Harbour and the city, and as such does not explicitly mention the layout, height and massing of any new development.

“Specific building heights are not referenced within the vision and at this stage we do not feel it is appropriate to define them, as detailed design work has not been undertaken.

“However, the vision does contain a commitment to ‘provide vantage points’ which will be amended to reference key views both from within the area and across the city.

“The commitment to ‘celebrate heritage’ will also be amended to include reference to the bonded warehouses being the dominant built structures in the area.

“The masterplan will be guided by the vision and will consider these aspects in the context of existing planning policies.”

It added: “The reuse of the bonded warehouses will be a priority for the city.”

The latest Western Harbour documents make clear that the bonded warehouses will remain the “dominant built structures” – photo: Betty Woolerton

In a blog post this week, mayor Marvin Rees said: “Drawing on the area’s heritage and identity, the new vision sets out commitments that can transform the area’s roads and concrete into a thriving neighbourhood once again.

“The vision is inspired by and largely supported by local communities and is the result of an extensive programme of public engagement carried out in the second half of 2021 and also during a six-week consultation that was open to the public in spring.

“The vision looks to balance local and city aspirations and addresses some of the biggest challenges Bristol has ever faced, such as the housing crisis, climate change and biodiversity loss.”

Half of new homes in Western Harbour will be classed as affordable.

Cabinet is recommended to approve the vision and begin to apply for external funding for the next stage of work ahead of further consultation.

Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Rees looks forward to ‘shared vision’ of Western Harbour 

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