Creative organisations are being offered the chance to start the transformation of Bristol's Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone by taking up vacant space on the site.

Companies and community groups have the opportunity to set up their ventures on the Diesel Depot site, near Bristol Temple Meads Station, as one of the first steps towards the delivery of a new creative hub in the heart of the city. They are being invited by landowner the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to put forward ideas for the 3.4 ha site, which is available for up to the next two years while long-term plans for its future are being compiled.

Interested organisations are being asked submit their proposals to bring life and activity to this derelict site, which will support partners' long-term ambitions to build on the city's strengths in the creative and digital industries by developing a new quarter for this sector. The Agency is inviting ideas from any organisation who is interested in this opportunity.

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The Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone is expected to deliver almost 17,000 jobs in the creative, media and communications sectors over a 25 year period. The HCA owns a number of sites within the zone and is working closely with Bristol City Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to deliver a long-term vision for the area. A steering group including local volunteers and businesses has been established by the council to help develop any ideas received.

HCA Head of Area David Warburton said: "Until this site is developed, we want to ensure that local organisations have the chance to use it for purposes which show how the objectives of the Enterprise Zone can start to be delivered. I have already received some suggestions for very exciting uses, and I am really keen to encourage others to come forward. We are not being too specific about what we want. This is about inviting people to put their creative energy and ideas to good use to bring this site into active use whilst longer-term plans for redevelopment are put together. It would be great to see this land used in a way which is in-keeping with the vision for the Enterprise Zone, which is to deliver diverse places and spaces, welcoming a wide range of activities, but with a particular focus on creative industries.

"I am really excited about the ideas that this could generate and I look forward to hearing from those with an interest in this project."

(CD)