News / Western Harbour
Rees: ‘Western Harbour plans are central to our ambition’
Marvin Rees has previously said that he wants the Western Harbour to be “more Wapping Wharf than Canary Wharf”.
A new artist’s impression of the proposed development around the Cumberland Basin most definitely takes inspiration from Wapping Wharf, with new residential buildings in the Paintworks also forming part of the CGI.
At his annual State of the City address on Wednesday evening, Rees said that “the plans for the Western Harbour are central to our ambition”.
is needed now More than ever
Water spills over the top of the Cumberland Basin during a recent high tide
The new Western Harbour visual has clearly been inspired by this section of Wapping Wharf…
…and Paintworks phase 3, which includes 11 live/work units, 210 houses and flats, and 6,700 sq m of commercial space
“How and where we build homes will be one of the biggest determinants of our climate impact over the coming years,” Rees said.
“A recent report on climate change by Robert Muggah, for the World Economic Forum, tells cities they need to build centrally, more densely and higher to reduce demands on energy through more efficient buildings and reducing the need for cars.
“Western Harbour represents around 2,000 homes within a seven-minute bike ride and 25-minute walk of the city centre; the opportunity to introduce flood defence at the same time and in sympathy with the the development; life being brought into the city centre to support the retail offer and that of North Street; and the opportunity to turn the waterfront into a city destination accessible to all.”
The proposed Western Harbour development stretches from Bedminster to Hotwells
Rees said that his administration will also “deliver on other major infrastructure and housing projects, from the Temple Quarter to St Philip’s Marsh and climate resilient housing at Frome Gateway alongside the university campus and Temple Island” as well as redeveloping “the St James area of the city”.
The mayor further committed his support to YTL “as they deliver a state of the art, 17,000-seater Bristol Arena, ready to come to planning in the next few months”.
He added: “And in doing so, we have saved so much carbon footprint from the original plans. Instead of driving, trucking and delivering steel and pouring tonnes and tonnes of concrete, it’s being built with the best carbon neutral solution, retro-fitting an existing historic building.”
The proposed YTL Arena could be built within the historic Brabazon Hangars next to the former Filton Airport
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