Regenerating Bristol’s post-industrial strongholds in and around Temple Meads requires a Masterplan encompassing every aspect of development.
That’s according to Will Nell from Bruton Knowles’ Great George Street office who believes piecemeal development could result in big ticket projects being run into the nearest siding through lack of joined up thinking a few years’ down the line.
He said: “The derelict 1970s sorting office which greeted commuters arriving at Temple Meads railway station is finally going to be re-developed as a new University of Bristol campus.
“We are convinced the move could be the catalyst to release pent up development schemes in and around Bristol’s main railway terminus.”
But the Great George Street based commercial property specialists believe developers should be working to an agreed Masterplan rather than be putting up buildings and facilities on a first come first served basis.
“That’s what happened at early stages of Cribbs Causeway and we can all see the consequences in terms of its ad hoc layout.”
Built in the early seventies the sorting office is one of the biggest eyesores in the city having stood empty for more than 20 years.
“The new Temple Quarter Campus should be the jewel in the Crown of the Enterprise Zone.
“The city’s post-industrial heartlands are being re-developed on a scale not seen since the end of the last war.
“This major gateway to the city has been a blot on Bristol’s landscape for years and it will be great to see the improvement. We also hope that the Arena project does not run out of steam as it is sorely needed to add vitality to the area.”