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Development updates
Major projects update
April 2007
Two World Class Projects for Gloucester
Two international consultancy teams are currently at work in Gloucester, creating masterplans for two important regeneration areas that are set to transform the city centre and its waterfront.
A masterplan for the Kings Square / Bus Station area is currently being prepared by Urban Initiatives Ltd, whose team of urban designers, town planners, artists and landscape designers were appointed in February 2007.
Once endorsed, the Master Plan will be included in the brief for an international design competition that will create the new Kings Square in conjunction with the GHURC Design Review Panel and Gloucester City Council. Work on site is due to start in February 2008.
Meanwhile, the restoration of the Grade II listed Provender Mill, Downings Malthouses and other historic buildings and structures on Bakers Quay is moving closer with the development of a masterplan for the site which is owned by Mr Albert Bishop and his son Dick Bishop.
Dick Bishop is a Gloucester man born and bred and wants to see a vision for the Quays alongside the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal which both complements the proposed Designer Outlet Centre and brings back into use the magnificent structures in a setting which promotes a mix of uses. The Bishop proposal, being prepared by Architects Broadway Malyan, includes new housing and an important new public space with associated commercial and restaurant facilities. It also includes a possible opening up of a new inlet from the canal to form the focus of this plaza, which opens up to magnificent views over the Canal towards the Priory.
The Bishops design team is currently working in conjunction with the GHURC and other stakeholders to produce proposals which build on the 2006 Outline Approval for the whole of Gloucester Quays.
The Magnificent Seven Progress Reports
1. The Railway Triangle
With the decision of Gloucester Rugby to stay at its present home at Kingsholm, instead of relocating to a new community stadium at The Railway Triangle, the GHURC is now exploring the alternative options set out in the Regeneration Framework for the redevelopment of this key area.
This opens up other major opportunities which will bring major new employment projects into this strategic gateway site, including an innovation and science park, to compliment the existing amenities and services in the area.
2. Kings Quarter
Thornfield Properties, (a private development company, with a highly successful track record in delivering high quality town centre regeneration projects throughout the UK) have been appointed as the Kings Quarter Development Partner and a Co-operation Agreement is in place between Gloucester City Council and the Norwich Union Pension Fund (NULAP) to progress the development of the site.
Urban Initiatives, one of Britain's leading urban planning and design practices, have also been jointly appointed by the GHURC, the City Council and Thornfield to prepare a Master Plan for Kings Square that will include a definition of the size and location of the new public square that is to be created at the heart of the site via an International Design Competition, to be launched in June 2007.
3. Greyfriars
GHURC and its partners, especially English Partnerships, are currently assessing high quality bids for the housing-led redevelopment of the Greyfriars site on Brunswick Road and it is expected that a decision on the appointment of Developer Partner will be made towards the end of May 2007.
The Gloscat Media Annex is the designated site for the New Westgate Neighbourhood Centre (the Four Gates Centre) and Quattro Design Architects of Gloucester have been appointed to help design the centres internal spaces.
4. Greater Blackfriars
The Greater Blackfriars project moves forward with the commissioning of three important feasibility studies. Architects Feilden Clegg Bradley have been appointed to undertake Conservation Plans for Blackfriars Priory and the Fleece Hotel and the URBED/Comedia consultancy team have been commissioned to undertake an area-wide Creative Industries Study.
The Museum of London Archaeological Unit has also been commissioned to define the archaeological potential of Greater Blackfriars as part of a larger survey of the other regeneration sites that have not previously been surveyed. Meanwhile, restorative maintenance work continues at the Fleece Hotel and Blackfriars Priory.
5. Gloucester Docks
The Crest Nicholson Barge Arm development (84 apartments and six commercial units on the ground floor) has been completed and is now being occupied. The Grade 2 listed Biddle and Shipton Warehouses have now been converted to residential use (32 flats) with a bar / restaurant at ground floor and are awaiting occupation.
The GHURC Board has approved the Development Brief for Southgate Moorings, as approved by the Design Review Panel and then the Main Board on 30th March 2007.
The Phase Two Public Realm works at the base of Barge Arm have started and are due for completion due in Autumn 2007.
6. Gloucester Quays
Work on the 200m Gloucester Quays site is scheduled to start in June 2007, with demolition works to prepare the Monk Meadow Docks and Bakers Quay sites for construction of a food store and Designer Outlet Centre.
The construction of the St Ann Bridge Link and associated roadworks is scheduled to start in April 2007, with projected completion scheduled for February 2008.
The handover and occupation of the new 20,000sq m Gloscat College of Further Education Campus is scheduled to take place, on time, in July 2007.
7. Canal Corridor
The final section of the 43m South West Bypass nears completion. The new swing bridge has been installed and is being linked by road works that will improve the Cole Avenue/Bristol Road junction at two-mile bend.
A Planning Application is expected for the Contract Chemical Site on Bristol Road in April 2007.
8. Other Regeneration Projects
Gloucestershire Parkway Integrated Transport at Elmbridge Court
The County Council awaits a decision from the Department of Transport on Major Scheme Funding with anticipated Programme Entry Status due in late summer 2007.
St Oswalds Park
The Persimmon Homes scheme for a new Residential Village, comprising 450 new homes/ apartments was reviewed by the URC Design Review Panel on 29th March 2006 and work is due to start on site in Spring 2007. Negotiations are ongoing for a Sheltered Housing Scheme with commencement due in 2008.
The Gloucester Renaissance Community Video Diary
A consortium formed by Gloscat and Blue Sky Event and Media, a communications company based at the Cheltenham Film Studios Will be managing the GHURCs Community Regeneration Video Diary which will record the thoughts and aspirations of local people throughout the life of the GHURC and the regeneration of Gloucester, as seen through the eyes and experiences of local residents, school pupils and community organisations.
Training skills and local jobs
A brief is being prepared for the development of an Action Plan to deliver appropriate skills to enable local residents to benefit from the GHURCs target of creating 2,000 new jobs.
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