Redcliffe Wharf redevelopment begins after more than a decade in limbo

Work has started at Redcliffe Wharf yesterday, more than a decade after being marked as a redevelopment site.
Work starting at Redcliffe Wharf in Bristol, Friday 12 April 2024 -Credit:PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC


Long-awaited work has begun to build a waterside development with new commercial spaces, shops, 45 apartments and a water taxi stop. Redevelopment commenced yesterday (Friday, April 12) at Redcliffe Wharf, which has been earmarked as a site for redevelopment for well over a decade.

The disused plot of land, which was home to roller disco Bump before the attraction relocated, is next to Redcliffe Caves and the Redcliffe Bascule Bridge. Construction works are set to last until July 2027.

The site was previously home to a boat building company until around a decade ago, and since then the area has been empty and derelict. A huge fire erupted in 2018, but now the area is set to be rejuvenated - and it's described as the missing piece of the Floating Harbour's regeneration.

READ MORE: Work begins to build assisted living homes on former café site

READ MORE: Latest on new Filwood Broadway homes after much-loved cinema building demolished

Enabling works for the site include the demolition of current buildings and the removal of historic hoists. The hoists will be stored at the Cumberland Basin depot whilst work takes place. The enabling work is set to take more than a year.

Bristol City Council granted Complex Developments Projects permission for the redevelopment on April 12, 2021, with a three-year deadline to commence works. The plans were submitted in 2018.

Complex Development Projects (CDP) has shared this CGI of how its development at Redcliffe Wharf could look -Credit:Preconstruct Ltd/ Complex Development Projects
Complex Development Projects (CDP) has shared this CGI of how its development at Redcliffe Wharf could look -Credit:Preconstruct Ltd/ Complex Development Projects

The development was subject to 50 conditions when it was approved, and a dozen conditions have since either been discharged or have had details approved to satisfy the council's planning team. The most recent condition, regarding the protection of trees, was discharged earlier this week.

The site used to be home to roller disco Bump and before that a boat building company.
-Credit:PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC

Six new building complexes will form the site and will include office, commercial, and retail space with apartments. The 45 apartments will be a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

A new water bus stop will also be installed later within the projected schedule, which will link the newly regenerated part of the Harbourside to the Floating Harbour and the city centre. The Redcliffe Wharf project website adds: “The development of Redcliffe Wharf marks the final piece in the regeneration of Bristol’s iconic Floating Harbour.”

In December 2022 the council agreed to pay the developers £516,000 from a government funding pot, called the Brownfield Land Release Fund, designed to "facilitate the release of developable land". The council's decision notice noted that the freehold on the land was owned by the council, but "the Redcliffe Wharf site has remained vacant and undeveloped for many years".

The disused plot of land will be turned into commercial spaces, shops, apartments and a water bus stop.
-Credit:PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC

The notice explained: "In 2012, having undertaken a selection process, the council selected a private sector development partner, Complex Development Projects Ltd, who has entered into an agreement for lease with the council. Since then, the development partner has secured planning consent for a high quality mixed use scheme.

"Due to high enabling costs on this brownfield site, the development partners have to date been unable to deliver a viable policy compliant development at Redcliffe Wharf." The developer had applied for a grant of £1.5m, but the council compromised on £516,000 "as the adjudication panel judged that some of costs anticipated were non-allowable".

The £516,000 was earmarked for the relocation of a Victorian water main, demolition and remediation work and site preparation.

Want the latest Bristol breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join our WhatsApp group. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.