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Plans to bring thousands of new jobs, investment and major transport improvements to Bristol's Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone have been backed by £5m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The HCA has agreed to invest in the acquisition of two properties near Temple Meads Station to support the delivery of a new creative industries hub and improved transport links in the heart of the city.
An investment of £3.8m will be provided to Bristol City Council to enable it to buy Brunel’s Old Station building, which is currently owned by British Empire and Commonwealth Museum. The move brings it into public ownership while detailed plans for the building and adjoining land are developed. It could enable parts of the building to be brought into use as part of the rail industry’s ambitions to significantly improve services between Bristol and London, with the remaining space used as studio space and conference facilities to support the growth of creative industries within the Enterprise Zone.
Brunel's Old Station building, which includes The Passenger Shed and Brunel’s Boardroom, will continue to be used as an event and conferencing facility.
The HCA is to invest a further £1.2m to purchase the Pest Control Depot from the council in Cattle Market Road and support the relocation of the existing facility to a new purpose built depot elsewhere in the city. Part of the land will be used to help provide a new access road and bridge to the former Diesel Depot site, which is currently owned by the HCA. The rest of the site will be redeveloped for uses which support the Enterprise Zone project.
The HCA, Bristol City Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) have identified the acquisition of Brunel’s Old Station building as being of vital importance to the Enterprise Zone, which aims to create 17,000 jobs over 25 years. It is expected that the HCA investment will enable an early phase of development in the Enterprise Zone and help to deliver 1,200 new jobs, around 40,000 sq m of employment space, 300 homes and £120m of private investment in the area.
(CD/GK)
