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A renewed vision for The Galleries

Outline plans to transform The Galleries have now been submitted

The outline application, that is being brought forward by Bristol-based developer, Deeley Freed, together with LaSalle Investment Management, can be viewed and commented on at Bristol City Council’s website under planning reference number: 24/01850/P.

The proposals, if approved, would provide a major boost to the city, delivering much-needed housing and workspace as well as responding to the changing retail environment. The scheme will transform the site into a much more diverse and landscape-rich environment, a day and night-time destination which focuses on community, place and bringing people back to the city centre.

The plans include up to 450 homes, 20% affordable; 10,000sqm of ground floor space for retail, leisure, food and beverage, health, and community uses; modern, highly-sustainable employment space of around 40,000sqm, a 250 room hotel or aparthotel, up to 750 student beds and 1.5 acres of high quality public realm and green space.

Max Freed from Bristol based Deeley Freed said: “We’re delighted to have submitted this planning application after a lengthy pre-application process. This is a vital scheme for Bristol and we’re very thankful to all those who have got involved in the consultation that has been going on for four years.

“This is a once in a generation chance to re-invent, revitalise and modernise such a large part of the city centre. Our vision involves completely transforming this inward-looking, 1980’s shopping centre, making the site more diverse, safe and green. The development opens up the city centre to Castle Park, with a real focus on addressing Bristol’s priorities around housing, health and wellbeing, climate, ecology, tourism and the economy.

The extensive level of work so far has been about making sure this works for Bristol: creating an inclusive place people want to visit, live and work in, that responds to the changing face of retail and the city’s housing, climate and ecology crises, and celebrates the jewel that is Castle Park and the Floating Harbour.

The key pillars guiding the scheme include:

  • Championing the city centre – creating a great place that brings people back and supports the wider area (both during the day and night).
  • Connecting to Castle Park - removing traffic from Newgate and having cafes and restaurants facing out to the park.
  • Widening the proposed streets through the site, making it more people-friendly.
  • Prioritising the environment and nature through climate-friendly landscaping and amenity areas at all levels and incorporating the latest environmental features.
  • Ensuring this is as inclusive, safe, vibrant and community-minded as possible, with a mix of commercial and community uses, alongside affordable, student and open-market housing - a place for all ages.

Please note this will be an Outline application, meaning it’s looking at the principle of our proposals, not the detail of the design. Should permission be granted, a separate application relating to the more detailed aspects would follow next year.

The shopping centre remains open as usual.



Key principles



Illustrative scheme

Overview of the illustrative scheme - click to enlarge



Illustrative Scheme overview

  1. 1.5 acres of the site footprint given over to high quality equitable Public Realm maximised with greening.
  2. A new Community Building and Public Hub in the heart of the scheme, providing secure cycle and blue badge parking, WCs and adult changing facilities.
  3. Over 8,000 sqm of flexible retail, food and beverage options, provided in a range of unit sizes and types to meet community needs.
  4. Housing for up to 450 homes overlooking the park and arranged around a shared courtyard.
  5. Over 46,000 sqm of workspace, providing places for employment for up to 3,450 people.
  6. Up to 750 beds in purpose-built student accommodation.
  7. Flexibility to allow for a 250 room hotel.
  8. Night-time economy supported by a 1,800 sqm leisure facility.

Latest news

View and comment on the application

Fri 24th May 2024 at 15:52

With the application now live, it's easy to view the application and have your say.

The application includes 260 documents. Some of the key reports that may be of interest (but are not limited to) include: the design and access statement, the design codes (this is an outline application and the design will be looked at during the reserved matters application), the planning statement, the economic infographic, the public art and cultural activisation strategy, the ecology and biodiversity reports, and the statement of community involvement.

You can visit planning file on Bristol City Council's planning portal by clicking here: 24/01850/P.

Comments please

Thu 22nd Feb 2024 at 15:09

Thanks to all those who attended the walking tour and webinars, the feedback has been really positive. For those who missed it, the webinar presentation and webinar recording are now available to view on the section below, and you can submit comments in a number of ways - through the feedback form, interactive map, or by email or phone (0800 689 5209).

Please note, the consultation ends on the 5th March. From then we will be looking to analyse the comments and finalise the outline plans, and submit an application in late March or April.

Pre-submission consultation details announced

Mon 12th Feb 2024 at 09:29

Outline plans to transform The Galleries are close to being finalised but before they are, we're keen to get your views on them

The team will be hosting a number of events during the week of the 19th February and updating the website shortly afterwards. To register, please click on the links above.

December '23 Update

Tue 5th Dec 2023 at 12:20

Through 2023 the team have been continuing to develop the plans and we hope to be in a position to submit an application in early Spring. Ahead of that we are keen to update everyone and will be issuing an update in mid-January and hosting a number of engagement events at the end of the month. As always, if you have any questions, please let us know.

Timeline

Technical due diligence, concept development and initial stakeholder engagement

2020-2022

Main consultation

July and August 2022

Review and refinement of plans, and ongoing stakeholder engagement

2023

Pre-submission public updates and engagement events

Feb-Mar 2024

Outline Application Submitted

21 May 2024

Planning reference number: 24/01850/P

Target determination

Late 2024

Development of the reserved matters application

2025

Subject to planning

Anticipated construction start

2025

Subject to planning

Anticipated first opening

2027

Subject to planning

Find out more and get involved: