Development plans for a major regeneration site on the northern bank of Bristol's Feeder Canal have taken a significant step forward, with the confirmation of development partners to deliver the various elements of the Silverthorne Lane masterplan, which is centred around a new comprehensive secondary school, the largest to be built in the city
Feeder Estates LLP, a partnership managed by Square Bay, is preparing a planning application for the regeneration of the Silverthorne Lane site. The site is earmarked for a mixed-use development in Bristol City Council's Vision for Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. Square Bay has extensive experience in Bristol, such as enabling the regeneration of Brandon Yard, Bristol Harbourside.
The mixed-use regeneration plan includes the site for the new Oasis Academy Temple Quarter, a 1,600 place secondary school to serve central and eastern Bristol. The school, which will include a sixth form, is being funded by the Department for Education to address an acute shortage of secondary places in the city, where there has been a sharp increase in demand over recent years. The school is part of Oasis Community Learning, a Multi-Academy Trust, which already runs 8 academies across the city. It will serve the community around the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and will welcome children from across the local area, regardless of background, faith, or ability.
Ally Eynon, Development Lead for Oasis Academy Temple Quarter said:
“We are delighted to be part of this exciting regeneration plan for Bristol. Areas such as Lawrence Hill and Barton Hill are especially in need of more school places, and we look forward to working with our local community to create the school they want and need. Our vision for Oasis Academy Temple Quarter is to develop both the competence and the character of our young people: we will provide an outstanding academic education, as well as partnering with business and local organisations to offer enriching and empowering experiences. As a result, our children will be equipped to thrive and flourish in their education, and in their future lives.”
In addition to the new school, the site will deliver approximately 400 new homes, including affordable housing. Award-winning Bristol-based housebuilder, Studio HIVE in partnership with Atlas Land Ltd, has been confirmed as the residential development partners for the scheme.
Commenting on the announcement, Studio HIVE Managing Director, Jason Collard, said:
“We are delighted to come on board with this project. This is a fantastic opportunity to transform the eastern gateway to the city centre, providing an inspiring place for people to live, a stone's throw from the city's main transport hub and the city centre beyond”. Alan Chaytor, Atlas Lands CEO, said 'With a new school on the doorstep and located near the new university quarter, as well as all that central Bristol has to offer within a short walk, this development will create a vibrant new canal-side community in the heart of the city's Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.”
New employment space is also proposed for the former industrial brownfield site, with the University of Bristol confirmed as the development partner for this element. The University's new Temple Quarter Campus is being delivered on an adjacent site, and the University's commitment to the Silverthorne Lane site offers the potential for additional employment and research and learning opportunities within the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.
Student accommodation forms the final piece of the development jigsaw, with circa 750 student beds proposed. This purpose-built provision will help to relieve pressure on housing supply in the city. The student accommodation will be delivered by Future Generation, a specialist student accommodation developer with a number of student schemes operating in cities across the UK and Ireland.
Ed Fisher, Director of Future Generation, said:
“Bristol is a city that is going through a period of incredible investment and regeneration, and we are very excited to have this opportunity to be a part of the transformation of the city's gateway on the approach to Temple Meads station.”
Markham Hanson, Managing Director at Square Bay, said:
“We are delighted to be able to confirm the development partners we have teamed up with to deliver this fantastic regeneration opportunity for Bristol. This represents a very significant investment in the city, cementing Bristol's reputation as a city that is open for business.”
The development team has established a website, www.silverthornelane.com, to provide residents and businesses across the city with information about the emerging plans.
Mr Hanson added: “We have received a considerable amount of feedback already through our website, with some very positive ideas and aspirations for the transformation of this part of the city. There is particular interest in the new school, with many people citing the urgent need for secondary school places in the central and eastern parts of the city. The potential for improved pedestrian and cycle links, as well as the site's proximity to major transport hubs, has also been welcomed. We look forward to discussing the proposals in more detail at our forthcoming public exhibition.”
A public exhibition of the proposals will take place at Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads. The two day drop-in event will take place on Wednesday 8 May, 2 – 7:30pm and Thursday 9 May, 12 – 7:30pm. The exhibition will also be placed online on the project website, www.silverthornelane.com.