A plot of land on Narrow Quay, which has been the subject of much debate and criticism over the years, is finally up for sale. The patch of wasteland near the Arnolfini and a number of bars and cafes around Bristol's Harbourside has been a much sought-after spot for potential developers, despite it spending much of its life overgrown and full of rubbish.
Dubbed one of Bristol's eyesores, the disused wasteland has seen a number of planning applications fail over the years - it was reportedly home to rough sleepers at one point in time. It was also at the centre of somewhat of a tug of war between two pub chains, as Greene King (which owns the Shakespeare Tavern on Prince Street) wanted to purchase the land in the hopes of turning it into a beer garden, from its owner Yorkshire-based Samuel Smith Old Brewery.
The back of The Shakespeare backs onto the plot of land. However the latter is said to have refused to sell.
Read more: Story of the Bristol harbourside wasteland next to the Arnolfini and Shakespeare
Last year, Bristol Live reported that Cllr Nicola Beech, the council cabinet member for strategic planning, had written to the family-owned brewery about the plot of land on Narrow Quay, in order to determine what plans were.
Yesterday evening she shared an image to Twitter which showed that the plot of land had been cleared and put on the market. She said: "Fantastic to see this amazing site finally coming forwards for development.
"Yes it's complicated, yes it's got access issues but it is so long overdue and I'm really pleased to see this come onto the market after so many years." A look back through Bristol City Council's planning portal shows Samuel Smith Old Brewery has owned the plot for at least 33 years.
In 1989 it secured planning permission to use the fence for advertising, before unsuccessfully applying to use the land for "storage of stone" in 1991. There were also plans for a four-storey development of a pub, restaurant and staff accommodation, which was withdrawn in 1997 - that was the last time the site was subject to a planning application and it is not known if negotiations with Greene King ever resumed.
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What the latest plans say
Newly added to Zoopla and on the market with Brecker Grossmith as a 'commercial property for sale', the now cleared site at the 18-20 Narrow Quay address is described as being 3,029 square feet/0.069 acres in size and being "close to local amenities". The description goes on to say that it has "development potential" and is "suitable for a variety of commercial uses (subject to planning)".
The plot is currently on the market with a POA (price on application).
