Bristol’s biggest regeneration project to create thousands of jobs and homes

A new regeneration project in Bristol’s Temple Quarter, which will deliver thousands of new homes and jobs, has been announced.

The scheme, which has received £95m in government Levelling Up funding, will deliver up to 10,000 homes and 22,000 jobs in the area.

Leaders of the project hope it will help to address regional inequalities by revitalising a deprived area of the city, leading to economic growth and regional productivity.

New affordable homes will be built, skills, training and employment opportunities will be created and transport in the area is set to be improved too.

Levelling Up Minister Neil O’Brien MP said: ‘Building new homes in the places they are most needed and regenerating our towns and cities lies at the heart of the government’s levelling up mission.

‘It’s fantastic to be in Bristol to see this levelling up in action; central government working with local leaders and industry to grow the economy, delivering the high-quality new homes this country needs and breathing new life into neglected places.’

Approximately 182 football pitches worth of brownfield land will be regenerated as part of the project, under a partnership between the West of England Combined Authority, Bristol City Council, Network Rail and Homes England.

Total government investment in the West of England now reaches £320m, not including the £30m of funding given to the region each year as part of a devolution deal.

Improvements are also due to be made to Temple Meads station under the scheme, with three new and improved entrances set to be built.

Transport connections between Bristol and other areas in the region will also be enhanced, after the city received £540m through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and £132m from the West of England Combined Authority.

The Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: ‘Temple Quarter creates the opportunity to make our city more sustainable and better connected, while providing the affordable homes, accessible jobs and training that our citizens want and need as we tackle the climate and ecological challenges.

‘The partnership has brought forward a realistic, integrated vision to create a thriving new area of the city that will be key to Bristol’s and the city region’s journey to becoming an inclusive and sustainable economy, boosting Bristol’s role as a major driver of the city region and Western Gateway economies. This funding will unlock the infrastructure and public spaces needed to support further delivery on homes, jobs and inclusive growth and will underpin Bristol’s connectivity, sustainability and path to carbon neutrality.’

Photo by Nathan Riley