Plans to demolish Bristol shopping centre for homes, offices and student accommodation approved
Planning permission has been given to demolish the Galleries shopping centre in Bristol and replace it with homes, offices and student flats.
Developer Deeley Freed has been given the green light by Bristol City Council for its plans which include restaurants, shops and making the road running alongside Castle Park pedestrian only.
The Galleries opened in 1991 but has struggled, particularly since the opening of nearby Cabot Circus in 2008, the developer said, with many of the shops empty.
Credit: Deeley Freed
Councillors voted unanimously to approve the plans, which include offices, 450 homes – 90 of which will be classed as affordable – and student flats which can accommodate 750 people.
A hotel and music venue will also be built.
The redevelopment of the 4.8 acre site will see the demolition of the shopping centre along with its 1,000 space multi-storey car park.
The scheme, designed by AHMM Architects, sets out the development of five new urban blocks with building heights of up to 22 storeys, around a network of new streets and open spaces.
Two listed buildings situated within the site will be retained for retail and community uses.
Max Freed, director of Deeley Freed, said: “The Galleries has been struggling since well before the pandemic.
“It’s poorly designed and car parking covers 40% of the site. It has long been obsolete. Our proposal would completely transform the site.
“There would still be shops and restaurants on the ground floor throughout the development, including new units facing outwards to Castle Park and Broadmead.”
Charlotte Burchell, associate director for Savills Bristol, said: “We are thrilled to have secured this milestone resolution that will transform this prominent but outdated and underused part of our city centre. Having been involved in the project since 2019, it is a great achievement to reach this stage in the process after a long period of collaboration with the Council.”
Craig O’Brien, head of Savills South West planning team, said: “To have secured unanimous support from the committee for this fantastic regeneration scheme marks an important step in the progression of Bristol City Council’s aspirations for the area, as set out in its City Centre Development Delivery Plan.”
The application was supported by Savills Economics, Environmental Planning and Infrastructure, EIA and Development teams.
