02 Dec 2015
Bristol Arena proposals submitted to the council
BY Matthew Campelli
Revised proposals for the £92m (US$139m, €131m), Bristol Arena have been submitted to the council following a consultation period.
Bristol City Council will consider the proposal for the 12,000-capacity multi-use venue, which is due to be constructed on the old diesel depot behind Bristol Temple Meads railway station.
The plans for the Populous-designed arena have been adapted following a number of concerns raised during the pre-planning consultation period in relation to access to the arena site, the quality of pedestrian and cycle routes and parking on residential streets.
As a consequence, the new proposal has factored in a widened cycle path and walkway on the A4 via a new bridge over the railway line to link with the arena.
It has also incorporated a park and ride service for events over 9,000 capacity, additional shuttle trains between Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway for the largest 12,000 capacity events and cycle parking increased to over 250 spaces.
Temporary road closures of Cattle Market Road and Albert Road for large events on weekday and weekend evenings have also been put forward, with funding set aside to cover set-up costs of parking controls in residential areas.
Consultation feedback also altered design plans, prompting the addition of solar panels to the roof to boost the venue’s green credentials, and alterations to the upper facade - from glass cladding to perforated steel to allow for more subtle light effects.
The submission of the planning application has kicked off a statutory consultation period which runs until 11 January. Two public information sessions are being held, on 8 December at Engine Shed (7pm-8.30pm) and 10 December at Totterdown Baptist Church (7pm-8.30pm).
Councillors are expected to discuss the plans in February next year, while the project is due to be completed in 2018 if given the green light.
Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, said the submission was “another significant step towards the delivery of this vitally important cultural venue for our city region”.
Nicholas Reynolds, head of the design team and senior principal at Populous, said the structure would create “both a strong civic presence and a dynamic, reflective surface which responds to the surrounding landscape”.
“The design for Bristol Arena has evolved and grown in detail over the past few months,” he added.
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