New fencing has been put up around a construction site in Castle Park as major works continue.
Pictures reveal the temporary fencing surrounding the edge of the site at the far end of the park towards Cabot Circus. Work is well underway for a new heat pump that aims to be a sustainable source of energy to heat properties all across the city.
Planning was first submitted by Bristol City Council’s Energy Service for the construction of a new Water Source Heat Pump energy centre in 2020. Now, the council is in the process of building an energy centre there, as part of its roll-out of the Bristol Heat Network.
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Construction first began on the new site in June last year, which is expected to house England’s largest water source heat pump – one of the lowest-carbon solutions available.
They are installing a water source heat pump that will take water from the nearby floating harbour and use it to generate heat and hot water for local businesses and residents. Bristol’s heat network currently supplies over 1,000 properties with low-carbon heat from a variety of sources across the city and continues to expand to new areas, according to the council.
The new energy centre will serve as a network providing low-carbon heat to businesses and homes in the city. Last year the popular cut-through footpath was closed for many months to allow for essential works to the energy centre site. At the time, the council issued a statement apologising for the disruption caused to pedestrians.
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There are also plans to build a new residential tower block in the area with 200 hundred homes. At more than 25 storeys high, the tower would be above the energy centre at the Castle Park site.
The project forms a key part of the council's pledge to fund more environmentally-friendly energy solutions in the city since they declared a climate emergency in 2018. It is being delivered by Bristol City Council and Goram Homes in partnership with Vital Energi.
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