News / Homes
More than 200 homes to be built at Wapping Wharf
Plans for 245 homes in blocks of up to ten storeys behind M Shed at Wapping Wharf have been approved despite 320 objections.
Bristol councillors voted by 8-1 to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the area behind the dockside museum.
The popular food and retail outlets in blue shipping containers would be moved into a temporary home next to the site while the first of two phases is constructed, with them moving back afterwards.
Shipping containers in Wapping Wharf are currently home to several popular food and drink businesses – photo: Karen Johnson
Labour councillor for Filwood Lisa Durston told the planning committee on Tuesday: “This application represents a real opportunity in a sustainable and brownfield location.
“It used to be a disconnected and isolated part of the city but is now one of the most vibrant areas and the plans would continue the transformation.
“It means that businesses can continue trading when the development is delivered.
“I do have some concerns around the height and density in a conservation area and I understand why some residents are concerned about issues of enclosure and overshadowing but what weighs the balance in favour is the provision of housing, including 50 affordable units.”
Green councillor Ani Townsend for Bristol Central said: “I would rather see mid-sized developments like this than high-rises in other parts of the city because most of the city centre is a conservation area.
“I’m pleased to see that most of the affordable housing that’s provided in this is for families rather than single people because that’s what we’re crying out for in the city centre.”
Labour councillor Fabian Breckels said: “I like this, it’s quite an exciting design.
“The retail area at the end is going to be stunning and a real destination in an already fabulous part of the city.”
He said the former bonded warehouse on the site that was destroyed in World War Two was about the same size as the proposed apartment buildings.
The plans by developers Umberslade include 10,500 sq metres of retail and commercial space at the two cargo buildings and adjacent car park.
Phase one would see a new market hall and stepped restaurant terraces.
Along with hundreds of residents, Bristol Civic Society, the city’s Conservation Advisory Panel and former city mayor George Ferguson objected to the redevelopment with concerns including the buildings’ height, design, and impact on views and heritage, especially the four historic, listed cranes in front of M Shed.
Phase one of the development will see a new market hall and stepped restaurant terraces – photo: AHR
But council planning officers advised the committee to give consent and said the public benefits, including new homes, with 50 classed as affordable, and improvements to the public area, outweighed the heritage harms.
The existing pay-and-display car park of 95 spaces, plus 69 vehicles in a private gated car park, would be built over, with 156 new spaces for cars in a basement and eight on-street.
There will also be 600 cycle spaces.
A report to the committee said: “It is noted that the loss of existing parking has been raised in public consultation.
“Given the regeneration designation of the site for mixed-use development, this change is policy compliant and is in line with the long-term strategy to reduce traffic movements into the city centre and reduce congestion/ address air quality improvement objectives.”
A planning officer told councillors: “This is building on the success of the existing cargo development, which when it was introduced was just a temporary, meanwhile use but has been massively successful.
“This scheme aims to provide sustainable permanent accommodation for existing and future tenants, and that means supplying additional floor and storage space and flexible working space.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol
Main photo: AHR
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