Council says it will sign deal for site with developer Legal & General
A scheme by Zaha Hadid Architects is one step closer to getting built in the centre of Bristol after the council approved a strategic partnership with the site’s developer Legal & General.
Plans to build the Populous-designed Bristol Arena on the five-acre Temple Island, by the city’s main rail station, were scrapped by mayor Marvin Rees last summer – who said a mixed-use site would cost less and be better for the local economy.
L&G has been eyeing up the site, having commissioned Hadid to design a scheme with a conference and exhibition centre, a 345-room hotel, two office buildings and 550 new homes.
And now the council has said it will strike a deal with L&G to hand over a 250-year leasehold for the site, on the condition that a mixed-use scheme goes ahead.
A council briefing paper stated that the partnership must include commitments around carbon neutrality and use of modern methods of construction – as well as around affordable housing.
An application for outline planning permission is expected to be submitted to the council later this year or in early 2020.
Alternative plans are now being drawn up for an arena on the site of the former Filton Airfield, five miles north of Bristol.
The site already has outline permission for 2,675 homes, three schools and 62 acres of employment space – but now Grimshaw Architects is working with client YTL to produce plans for a music venue in the airfield’s 1940s-built Brabazon hangars.
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