Plans have been unveiled for the former site of Bristol's city centre Debenhams store.
Two years after the retailer closed its doors for the final time, plans to build more than 500 new homes have been revealed.
Developers have also proposed a new pedestrian retail route from Broadmead to the Bearpit roundabout, creating a "northern gateway" to the city's retail heart underneath.
Under the plans submitted, the redevelopment would transform the site into a "green, attractive, safe and vibrant place" with 1,420m² of the site opened up as public open space. The target is for more than 100 of the homes to be affordable apartments to rent.
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Plans can be seen at barrsstreetbristol.co.uk where feedback can be submitted. The team behind the proposal is also holding two consultation events on June 19: one at 12pm-4pm, outside the Debenhams store, and another online at 6pm-7:30pm.
Bristol-based AWW Architects has been commissioned to design a sustainable development that would see the site transformed with 520 new homes set above retail and community spaces.
A large part of the site would become public open space, with Barr's Street reinstated as new 18-metre-wide pedestrian route connecting Bond Street and The Horsefair. This will include a wheelchair and pushchair-friendly path and will sit alongside a route with sets of stairs.
Currently the existing building prevents any movement through the site. The proposed redevelopment would also see the existing and two smaller adjacent buildings removed.
The scheme would see an increase of 50% in so-called "active frontages", with ground floor commercial spaces proposed on the corners of The Horsefair, St James Barton roundabout frontage and along the new Barr’s Street. One of the ground floor spaces would be made available to a new, local independent business at a discounted rent.
A two storey community space – fronting onto St James Barton roundabout – is also proposed. This could include a new library and or health centre.
The scheme comprises buildings set either side of the 18 metre wide Barr’s Street. These buildings are between 9 and 12 storeys, with the upper storeys set back, mimicking the Primark building.
One taller 28 storey building is proposed as a new northern gateway into Broadmead. This building faces towards St James Barton roundabout where the buildings are much taller, not least the existing 20-storey Premier Inn building, where there is a proposal to redevelop to 28 storeys.
It is proposed that the scheme would connect to the Bristol Heat Network, with 400sqm of solar panels and air source heat pumps.
A spokesperson for the developers said the Debenhams building was not a practical one to convert, so demolition and rebuild was the better option.
“High Street retail has been in decline for more than a decade and was severely affected by the pandemic,” he said. “This decline in retail saw the closure of Debenhams in May 2021.
“This high street retail decline is a significant challenge facing all areas of the UK including Bristol city centre. At the same time Bristol faces a continuing housing crisis,” he added.
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