News / Western Harbour
Rees looks forward to ‘shared vision’ of Western Harbour
A new “enhanced vision” for the so-called Western Harbour development is due to be unveiled soon.
Ahead of the latest designs for the area, Marvin Rees has written about what he hopes to see in this “ever-evolving gateway to the city”.
Rees has a personal connection to the area, attending Hope Chapel in Hotwells and appointing the pastors there, first Alice Bond and then Chris Bond, to be the community representatives on the Western Harbour Advisory Group.
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The Western Harbour spans Hotwells, the Cumberland Basin, Spike Island and Greville Smyth Park, with Rees saying that the latest vision “sets out commitments that can transform the area’s roads and concrete into a thriving neighbourhood once again”.
The Western Harbour covers an area including Bedminster, Spike Island and Hotwells – photo: Bristol City Council
“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,” Rees writes in his latest mayoral blog.
“Bristol is a growing city, and we are ambitious for its future. The new vision for Western Harbour can help to guide and shape masterplanning later in the year, which will set out in detail where the new homes, jobs and infrastructure that the city needs could go.
“During the consultation, the key commitments that celebrate heritage and safeguard treasured assets received the most support from local people. And many people sought more detailed proposals in terms of road layout and housing numbers but these aspects will be considered in detail through the masterplanning process still to come.
“However, this new shared vision, can make sure that the masterplan recognises the importance of historic, cultural and community uses, like the Bonded Warehouses, Riverside Garden Centre and pump track, and accommodate them within the regeneration area.
“The vision can be used to guide the brief to appoint a masterplanning team later this year. The masterplanners can then use the vision and further discussions with the community to craft more detailed proposals for the area, as well as develop a strategy that will consider how the plan could be delivered and funded.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Council goes back to the drawing board on Western Harbour proposals
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