The Development Framework is designed to present cohesive, deliverable plans for Bristol Temple Quarter. A number of considerations have influenced the framework content:
Land use and ownership
There are many landowners in Temple Quarter, including the public sector and private owners. At present much of the Development Framework area is in industrial and commercial use. However, the area sits between the residential areas of Totterdown, Redcliffe, and Barton Hill, and includes Sparke Evans Park. The area also includes the Grade I Listed Bristol Temple Meads Station and other listed structures along the Feeder Canal that contribute to the area’s character and sense of place, along with the semi-natural characteristics of the River Avon.
Housing
This Development Framework should support the delivery of housing which reflects the range of housing needs in Bristol, including affordable homes, to support the creation of mixed and sustainable communities within Temple Quarter.
Employment
The vision for Temple Quarter is for a mixed-use community where employment sits alongside residential development. The level and type of employment will be determined through the Local Plan Review which is currently underway, and the adoption of the new Local Plan, anticipated in 2024.
Retail
Bristol Temple Quarter is an opportunity to create a community where people can live, work, eat and spend time, but new retail should not compete with the city centre. There are specific opportunities for improved retail at Bristol Temple Meads station – this could be a small local centre to serve commuters, workers and nearby residents.
Flood risk
The Bristol Avon Flood Strategy has the objective of reducing flood risk through the centre of Bristol and will enable development of areas of Temple Quarter which are at risk from flooding.
River Avon
Movement and transport
Access to Temple Quarter, particularly St Philip’s Marsh, is currently limited by a number of things, including the River Avon and railway network. Access should be improved. Better and easier sustainable transport, including walking and cycling, is a central part of the vision for this area.
Heritage
The Temple Quarter area contains several listed buildings including: Temple Meads Station (Grade I), Brunel’s Old Station (Grade I), which includes Engine Shed and Passenger Shed
, and Bristol and Exeter House (Grade II*). The area also contains one Conservation Area at Silverthorne Lane, and is close to the Bedminster Conservation Area and the Redcliffe Conservation Area. Sparke Evans Park in St Philip’s Marsh is included on the list of ‘Local Historic Parks and Gardens’.
Temple Meads Station (Grade I) and Bristol and Exeter House (Grade II*) listed buildings
Character and sense of place
Bristol has very distinctive areas with their own characters and sense of place. There is a strong sense of community, with a wide range of community events and activities attracting local, regional and national audiences. There are flourishing independent businesses, creative industries, and an arts scene which animate the city.
Public realm and green infrastructure
Only approximately 2% of the development framework area is currently designated for open space. There is an opportunity for investment in public realm and green infrastructure to enhance city life and support new neighbourhoods.
River Avon 
Feeder Canal
Diversity and inclusion
Bristol has a significant number of people living in deprived areas and some of these areas are adjacent to the project area. Temple Quarter is an exciting opportunity to improve accessibility and inclusion. We will ensure the area is designed, built and managed in a way that brings communities together, including through a more accessible transport network.
Sustainable and inclusive growth
Sustainable and inclusive growth is key to this framework, and this is embedded in national and local planning policies already.
The urgency of the climate crisis and the pace of technological change will impact town planning and development. The proposals in the framework aim to accommodate new ideas for a more sustainable future and will have Bristol’s One City Plan and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals at its heart.
Stakeholder engagement
To help produce the Development Framework, stakeholder and public engagement took place in 2018 and 2019 with a range of stakeholders, businesses and the public. In the last few months, engagement has taken place to explain the project again, recognising the length of time between the previous engagement and this latest consultation on the draft framework document.
Stakeholder engagement
The Development Framework is designed to present cohesive, deliverable plans for Bristol Temple Quarter. A number of considerations have influenced the framework content:
Land use and ownership
There are many landowners in Temple Quarter, including the public sector and private owners. At present much of the Development Framework area is in industrial and commercial use. However, the area sits between the residential areas of Totterdown, Redcliffe, and Barton Hill, and includes Sparke Evans Park. The area also includes the Grade I Listed Bristol Temple Meads Station and other listed structures along the Feeder Canal that contribute to the area’s character and sense of place, along with the semi-natural characteristics of the River Avon.
Housing
This Development Framework should support the delivery of housing which reflects the range of housing needs in Bristol, including affordable homes, to support the creation of mixed and sustainable communities within Temple Quarter.
Employment
The vision for Temple Quarter is for a mixed-use community where employment sits alongside residential development. The level and type of employment will be determined through the Local Plan Review which is currently underway, and the adoption of the new Local Plan, anticipated in 2024.
Retail
Bristol Temple Quarter is an opportunity to create a community where people can live, work, eat and spend time, but new retail should not compete with the city centre. There are specific opportunities for improved retail at Bristol Temple Meads station – this could be a small local centre to serve commuters, workers and nearby residents.
Flood risk
The Bristol Avon Flood Strategy has the objective of reducing flood risk through the centre of Bristol and will enable development of areas of Temple Quarter which are at risk from flooding.
River Avon
Movement and transport
Access to Temple Quarter, particularly St Philip’s Marsh, is currently limited by a number of things, including the River Avon and railway network. Access should be improved. Better and easier sustainable transport, including walking and cycling, is a central part of the vision for this area.
Heritage
The Temple Quarter area contains several listed buildings including: Temple Meads Station (Grade I), Brunel’s Old Station (Grade I), which includes Engine Shed and Passenger Shed
, and Bristol and Exeter House (Grade II*). The area also contains one Conservation Area at Silverthorne Lane, and is close to the Bedminster Conservation Area and the Redcliffe Conservation Area. Sparke Evans Park in St Philip’s Marsh is included on the list of ‘Local Historic Parks and Gardens’.
Temple Meads Station (Grade I) and Bristol and Exeter House (Grade II*) listed buildings
Character and sense of place
Bristol has very distinctive areas with their own characters and sense of place. There is a strong sense of community, with a wide range of community events and activities attracting local, regional and national audiences. There are flourishing independent businesses, creative industries, and an arts scene which animate the city.
Public realm and green infrastructure
Only approximately 2% of the development framework area is currently designated for open space. There is an opportunity for investment in public realm and green infrastructure to enhance city life and support new neighbourhoods.
River Avon Feeder Canal
Diversity and inclusion
Bristol has a significant number of people living in deprived areas and some of these areas are adjacent to the project area. Temple Quarter is an exciting opportunity to improve accessibility and inclusion. We will ensure the area is designed, built and managed in a way that brings communities together, including through a more accessible transport network.
Sustainable and inclusive growth
Sustainable and inclusive growth is key to this framework, and this is embedded in national and local planning policies already.
The urgency of the climate crisis and the pace of technological change will impact town planning and development. The proposals in the framework aim to accommodate new ideas for a more sustainable future and will have Bristol’s One City Plan and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals at its heart.
Stakeholder engagement
To help produce the Development Framework, stakeholder and public engagement took place in 2018 and 2019 with a range of stakeholders, businesses and the public. In the last few months, engagement has taken place to explain the project again, recognising the length of time between the previous engagement and this latest consultation on the draft framework document.
Stakeholder engagement
