Council leaders are set to commit to no high-rise tower blocks in the Western Harbour redevelopment as they kickstart the master-planning stage. Bristol City Council’s cabinet is expected to endorse the “vision” to transform the area around Cumberland Basin following the results of the latest round of public consultation, which have led to tweaks to the document to make clear that the bonded warehouses will remain the “dominant built structures”.
Detailed work will begin later this year if approval is given on Tuesday, July 12, with no indications so far about housing numbers or changes to the ageing road network. And while the authority says the vision sets guiding principles for future decision-makers so it is not “appropriate” to define building heights at this stage, it now gives the clearest indication yet that there will be a strict limit on the number of storeys allowed.
The lack of information other than broad themes during the six-week consultation in the spring drew some criticism from residents, with less than half – 48 per cent – agreeing with the overall vision and 25 per cent disagreeing. Plans to “celebrate heritage” came out as the most popular of 24 suggested “commitments” with almost three-quarters in favour, followed by safeguarding treasured assets and celebrating the waterfront, while the 786 respondents agreed least with a suggestion to provide quality homes.
