Residents and businesses in Bedminster are being asked to give their views on the Whitehouse Street draft Regeneration Framework, and contribute to setting a plan that will bring new homes, jobs and opportunity to the area.
This comes in the week that the Mayor confirmed his manifesto pledge to get Bristol building 2,000 new homes a year has been met and exceeded. 2,563 new homes were built in the city in the year to April 2022, including a twelve-year-high of 474 new affordable homes.
Community members, local landowners the Galliard Apsley Partnership and Hill, and Goram Homes have worked together with Bristol City Council to develop the draft regeneration framework for the area around Whitehouse Street in Bedminster. The framework sets out the vision and key principles which will guide future development proposals and delivery of a well-connected, sustainable, resilient, and genuinely mixed-use neighbourhood with around 2,000 new homes and space for roughly 400 jobs. The regeneration is expected to take place over a 15-year period, with the first phase delivered in the next two to five years. On the doorstep, £95 million has been secured by the Mayor, working with partners, to upgrade Temple Meads station and unlock the wider Temple Quarter area with up to 22,000 new jobs and 10,000 new homes.
Mayor Marvin Rees said:
Currently, the area around Whitehouse Street features a range of commercial and light-industrial uses, as well as vacant plots of land. The long-term ambition is to create a neighbourhood with high-quality new homes to accommodate Bristol’s growing population, that delivers inclusive economic growth and supports community development. Through the framework we also hope to bring new residents to the area to strengthen the important economic and social function of Bedminster’s historic high street, East Street.
By building on previously developed sites, creating new walking and cycling routes, and connecting homes and businesses to the district heat network the Whitehouse Street scheme will also help our city reach its goal for further reducing carbon emissions.
The framework has been shaped by engagement with the local community, businesses, and landowners to make sure the growth happens coherently. Action Greater Bedminster (AGB) was commissioned to lead the first stages of community engagement before any design work.
Ellie Freeman, Chair of AGB said:
It’s good to see the final consultation coming forward after all the work the team have put in. I hope the community can see how their input has fed into the framework.
AGB has worked hard to make the most of the opportunities we’ve had over the last eighteen months or so to bring people’s views into the plans.
It’s important that residents now feed into this final part of the process as well to get their voice heard in shaping this development.”
The draft Regeneration Framework, that is being consulted on, aims to deliver the following outcomes as a result of the Whitehouse Street regeneration:
A sustainable community
- Genuinely mixed tenure neighbourhood
- Family-friendly with a range of home types
- A neighbourhood close to amenities
- Low energy and sustainable
- Strong identity
- Integration of existing community with new residents and businesses
A place to work
- Well integrated to other uses
- Working with existing employers
- Space for growth sectors
- Supporting homegrown businesses
- Different types of employment
A well connected neighbourhood
- Walkable streets
- Safe cycle routes
- Rail and Metrobus links
- City centre proximity
- Low car environment
- Integrated and inclusive mobility
A green neighbourhood
- Close to parks and play spaces
- Tree-lined streets
- Green roofs
- Biodiversity rich
- Community food growing spaces
People can give their views via the online survey www.whitehousestreet.com, from 17 November 2022 to 8 January 2023 and also at events in-person at Windmill Hill City Farm and an online event. Neighbourhood walking tours will also be available.
- Drop in event at Windmill Hill City Farm: Wednesday 7 December 2.30 to 6.30pm or Thursday 8 December 1.30 to 4.00pm.
- Online event: sign up at www.whitehousestreet.com
- Neighbourhood walking tour: email hello@whitehousestreet.com or call 0117 922 4409 to register your interest.
Paper copies will be available at Bedminster Library and Windmill Hill City Farm. To request an Easy Read or posted paper copy of the survey email hello@whitehousestreet.com or call 0117 922 4409.
Visit www.whitehousestreet.com for more information. The online survey closes on Sunday 8 January 2023.