News / planning
Green light due for revised plans to redevelop shopping centre
Developers are expected to get approval for revised plans to redevelop a south Bristol shopping centre.
Broadside Holdings is planning to knock down Broadwalk Shopping Centre and build hundreds of new homes in its place, but much fewer than initially planned.
In a victory for local campaigners, the developers have drastically reduced the number of new homes they will build.
Councillors controversially voted to permit their original plans in 2023, but the following year campaigners launched a judicial review, because they said the development would be too dense and too tall, cramming too many tiny flats into too small a space.
Many of the shops are already closed in Broadwalk Shopping Centre – photo: Stella Rogers
The shopping centre is located on the corner of Broad Walk and the Wells Road in Knowle.
Broadside is applying to Bristol City Council for permission to vary a condition on their plans, reducing the number of homes from 850 to up to 550.
Councillors on the planning committee A are due to vote on whether to permit the new plans on Wednesday, April 22.
A committee report said: “Following negotiation with representatives from the local community a decision has been taken to reduce the quantum of development that it is proposed to provide on the site, which in large part would result in a significant reduction in density on the western part of the plot.”
How the Broadwalk Shopping Centre development would look – image: Broadside Holdings
On the eastern side of the development, fronting onto the Wells Road, the maximum height would be slightly taller than the previous plans.
But on the western side, next to Redcatch Park, apartments have been replaced with houses.
One of the main concerns of local residents was the impact of building tall blocks of flats next to the park, creating problems with overshadowing.
Broadwalk Shopping Centre opened in 1974 – photo: Martin Booth
Writing to the council, Friends of Redcatch Park said: “The reduction in scale and density across the site, from approximately 850 residential units to fewer than 550, is a significant and welcome improvement. In particular, we wholeheartedly support the substantial changes to the park boundary.”
The community group praised the “constructive and open communication” with Broadside Holdings, while they revised the plans.
They also welcomed support from the two Green councillors representing the Knowle ward, Toby Wells and Cam Hayward.
If the plans are approved, demolition could begin later in 2026.
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main image: Broadside Holdings
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