Major rethink for Redcliff Quarter development

A major city centre redevelopment scheme has gone back to the drawing board, promising to reduce the size of a controversial tower block and to build more than twice the number of affordable homes than were first planned.

Redcliff Quarter remains only part-built since planning permission was granted in 2017, with much of the brownfield site still lying empty as progress has stalled.

A new developer is now applying to make major changes to the historic 2.5-acre site that sits between St Thomas Street, Redcliff Street and Three Queens’ Lane, within the Redcliffe Conservation Area.

Northampton-based CG Developments plan to reduce the height of the proposed tower from 23 storeys to less than 20, making it some 20 metres shorter than first envisaged.

The original architects of the scheme said that the residential tower had been enlarged from an original idea of 18 storeys “with the city’s encouragement” – likely a reference to mayor Marvin Rees stating in his 2016 State of the City address: “I want Bristol’s skyline to grow.”

What was meant to become Bristol’s tallest residential building was always contentious, however, with Rees’ words leading to the formation of the Bristol Campaign Against Tower Blocks, whose founder Matthew Montagu-Pollock called Rees’ lofty ambitions “wrong, immoral and undemocratic”.

The area of the new Redcliff Quarter application is shown in red – image: Google / CGD

The new proposal for Redcliff Quarter would also see two-and-a-half times the number of affordable homes compared to the approved scheme, up from 38 to 94, among almost 470 flats.

Significant office space within the original scheme is being scaled back and plans for a food hall overseen by the Pony & Trap’s Josh Eggleton are being scrapped.

A small number of retail units will still be built along Three Queens’ Lane, and the new pedestrian road connecting Redcliff Street and St Thomas Street.

Wider pavements and trees are proposed along Redcliff Street, St Thomas Street and Three Queens’ Lane, with a new segregated cycle lane on Three Queens’ Lane.

A view of the proposed Redcliff Quarter from Redcliff Street – image: CGD

A spokesperson for CGD said: “This is a highly-sustainable location for new homes on a city centre brownfield site.

“Having reviewed the scheme that already has planning permission, we’ve made some significant changes, to ensure the development best meets the city’s needs, but a scheme that we are also confident can be built as soon as planning permission is granted.

“More than doubling the number of much-needed affordable homes from 38 to 94 is a significant and positive change of direction, notably providing homes that are affordable for key workers.

“The height of the approved tallest building was also seen by many as controversial, so we have responded to this by seeking to reduce its height by about 25 per cent.

“Cafes, restaurants and bars have been badly hit this year, but retail generally was already facing significant challenges. So, we’ve dropped the proposal for a food court which we felt simply wouldn’t work – nobody wants more empty retail spaces.”

The consultation website, www.redcliffquarterconsultation.co.uk, will be live from February 25 until March 9.

Main image of the originally proposed 23-storey tower: Redcliff Quarter

Read more: ‘We are excited about the opportunities presented by the Redcliffe & Temple BID’