News / Temple Quarter
Willow trees to be planted as part of new development close to where trees felled
The felling of a pair of willow trees by Bristol City Council contractors was one of the most controversial events of 2022.
A new planning application for a site close to Temple Meads next to where the willow trees were cut down in November includes the planting of new waterside willows among dozens of new trees in what developers promise will be a “highly sustainable car-free development”.
The development on land between Valentine Bridge and the cheesegrater bridge that has been vacant for nearly three decades will feature 108 flats, a hotel and apart-hotel, as well as space for a shop, cafe, bar and restaurant.
is needed now More than ever
The development within what is officially called plot 3 of Temple Quarter would also provide pedestrian access to a new walkway being constructed by the council.
It was the building of this boardwalk (originally meant to connect to the arena at Temple Island according to assistant mayor Mark Bradshaw in 2015) that necessitated the felling of the willow trees, with the council described as “barbaric” for their actions.
Temple Quarter ‘plot 3’ looking down Isambard Walk
IKB Developments’ plans feature “three contemporary buildings set around an attractive, green landscaped garden open to everyone” and an “ecological zone” next to the Floating Harbour.
This would see 65 new trees planted including 18 on the dockside bank in the new “ecological zone”.
The whole scheme would also connect to Bristol Heat Network, with a rooftop garden on top of the block of flats in which developers promise that 20 per cent would be affordable.
The proposed development includes the planting of 65 new trees
A spokesperson for IKB Developments said: “The scheme aligns with the Temple Quarter Framework, which sets key principles including height and massing.
“The proposed hotel and aparthotel buildings are ground-plus-seven and six storeys respectively, and the Build-to-Rent building would be ground-plus-ten storeys, as it sits further away from more sensitive views.
“In 2017 proposals were put forward to develop the site with a 1000-capacity convention centre and hotel. That proposal included 200 car parking spaces on a two-deck car park that sat underneath the convention centre.
“However, the need for the convention centre shifted, and the hotel market changed as Covid struck.
“So the developer totally revisited the approach and feels its new proposal is much better aligned with the city’s needs and aspirations, not least having zero car parking, instead of 200 spaces, and adding 108 sustainable homes, including 20 per cent truly affordable, instead of none.
“Rather than one single building covering the whole site, the new scheme opens the site up with a green space now positioned between the three separate buildings.”
Temple Quarter ‘plot 3’ as seen crossing Valentine Bridge
All images: Conversation PR
Read next:
- ‘Barbaric behaviour’ as weeping willow trees chopped down
- ‘The council is creating a city which will be unliveable in the climate crisis’
- ‘Major milestone’ in Temple Quarter regeneration project
- New plans revealed for site opposite Temple Meads
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