Temple Quarter November update

Welcome to the November 2024 edition of the Bristol Temple Quarter newsletter. After a bit of a hiatus, we are back with all the latest news and updates from one of the UK's biggest and most exciting regeneration projects. 

In this edition, read more about works to the new Eastern Entrance to Bristol Temple Meads station, the formation of the BTQ Limited Liability Partnership, the hunt for a Chair of the Board, and more.

Eastern Entrance works completed

In September, we celebrated the practical completion of works on the new Eastern Entrance to Bristol Temple Meads station. The new entrance is one of three we'll be delivering thanks to the £94.7m awarded to the programme by central government in June 2022. 

We are now handing the site over to University of Bristol, which will continue work on the new Enterprise Campus for the next two years, including delivering the public realm outside the entrance. Both buildings will open in Autumn 2026. 

When open, the new entrance will open directly into the new campus, as well as dramatically improving access to and from the station to the east of Bristol. By 2030, 2.5m people a year will use this entrance.

Search for an Independent Chair begins 

Last month, we launched the search for an Independent Chair of the BTQ LLP Board. The Chair of the Board will have the opportunity to help shape the transformation of Temple Quarter, overseeing the newly formed LLP to ensure it is successfully fulfilling the partners’ ambitions for Temple Quarter.

We're aiming to find an individual who can provide strategic leadership at Temple Quarter and act as an ambassador for the programme.

The ideal candidate will have a close appreciation of Bristol and the West of England and a commitment to diversity and public service, as well as having the business acumen and commercial knowledge to oversee the long-term success of the programme.

Read more on our website. 

Limited Liability Partnership formed 

The Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership (BTQ LLP) was incorporated in March this year.

This move formalises the longstanding collaborative approach taken our by partners.  

Creating the organisation will enable Bristol Temple Quarter to be driven forward by a single public sector body. Each of the partners will pool its land in the area around Bristol Temple Meads station, meaning that the right development can take place in the best locations, transforming the area comprehensively.

Initially the LLP is made up of Bristol City Council, Homes England and the West of England Combined Authority. 

Read the news from earlier this year.

Generous donation transforms community space

The Dings “Safe Ouse” has benefited from a major refurbishment thanks to generous donations as part of the BTQ project. 

The youth engagement centre, which serves as a focal point for local young people and provides a safe, controlled environment for play, learning and socialising, now boasts a new purpose-built kitchen courtesy of Wren Kitchens, wall-to-wall storage cabinets, new furniture and kitchen equipment, and freshly painted walls.

The works were funded by Prior + Partners, the urban design and planning team behind the emerging Bristol Temple Quarter masterplan, as part of their social value commitment. Companies contracted by Bristol City Council have social value contributions as part of their contracts, to ensure their work brings additional benefits to local people.

Now refurbished, the space will act as a focus for the community and local young people, providing a space to spend time and socialise. The Safe Ouse is bookable for events, away days and classes.

Read more online. 

Community drop-in dates

If you would like to talk to the team about any aspect of the Temple Quarter regeneration programme, drop in for a chat over a coffee/tea at the following places and times.

• Wednesday 13th November - Redcliffe Hub,  4 Waring House, Redcliffe Hill, BS1 6TB 11am-12.30pm
• Wednesday 20th November - Wellspring Settlement, (main reception area), 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX,  11am-12.30pm
• Wednesday 18th December - Wellspring Settlement, (main reception area), 43 Ducie Road, Barton Hill, Bristol, BS5 0AX  11am-12.30pm

We will be adding more drop-ins - check for the latest information on the Bristol Temple Quarter Consultation and Engagement Hub.

Harbour walkway work continues 

Works to install a new floating harbour walkway from Meads Reach Bridge to Totterdown Basin are continuing at pace. Piling installation has commenced this week in the Basin. Delivery of the floating pontoons that will make up the walkway is expected in the new year. 

Engaging school children through Minecraft 

Over 600 primary school pupils have now taken part in BTQ themed Minecraft sessions. Working with the University of the West of England (UWE) Science Communication Unit, we've engaged with 15 schools in 'The West in Minecraft' workshops. 

Each child created their design for the Temple Quarter area in the Minecraft world, during which time they were first asked to consider what factors would be important to them when choosing a place to live. The children then provided information about their design and design choices using simple feedback forms. Popular ideas included "entertainment", "community" and "nature and environment". 

University of Bristol public art exhibition

The University of Bristol is inviting local people to Work in Progress, an exhibition exploring the industrial history and current developments of the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus [TQEC] through interactive sculptures, photography and free workshops.

This exhibition is the first event in the public art programme Charting Change, a two-year public art commission exploring the industrial histories of the site of the new campus alongside its technological futures supported by the Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy.

The exhibition takes place at St Anne’s House, St Anne’s Road in Brislington from Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 November, 10am - 4pm with a late opening 6 - 8pm on Thursday 21 November. Join free community coffee mornings, events for women in research, sew a textile banner and see interactive sculptures activated!

Details of the full programme are available online, including timings of events. Entry is free and all ages are welcome. 

Planning applications 

There are a number of planning applications coming forward in the area. Bristol City Council publishes current applications on their website every two weeks. You can find them on the council's website.

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