Earlier this year, the University of Bristol unveiled its huge plan to launch a new campus, with the focus on tech and digital.
Named the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, and to be located right next to Bristol Temple Meads station replacing the currently derelict sorting office (see right), postgraduate students lucky enough to learn here will have an unprecedented experience.
Professors are keen to steer away from the traditional academic method of teaching, as Professor Dave Cliff, the former Head of Computer Science at the University of Bristol tells us. He say the campus aspires to, “move on from lecture hall note taking and be open towards alternative methods of learning.”
This means students will be connecting with businesses from the word go as well as having access to the brand new facilities.
“We had lots of useful feedback during our outline planning consultation, which we’ve looked at carefully and used to help shape our plans”
And it’s not just the residents who can benefit from this; it is expected that the campus will create 17,000 new jobs over the course of its lifetime as well as contributing over £100 million a year to the city’s economy.
To get the most out of the project, the team decided a consultation process with architects, local business owners and educators was the route to go down – and the results are almost in from the initial stages.
The people have spoken
An outline planning proposal for the £300 million campus will be submitted to the council this autumn, which sets the wheels in motion for the campus to be finished in time for the 2021/22 academic year.
As it’s still early days, the proposal will be focussed on the density and scale of the buildings as well as access points to the building. The next stages will tell us more information about the specific appearance of the campus and the layout.
And from 11 to 22 September, the University will be needing your advice once more. There will be exhibitions of the University’s plans at the Engine Shed and Senate House, as well as a public meeting where you can drop in to have your say – check out Temple Quarter’s website for more details.
“This will transform the city and University for the better”
Further plans for the future include building a new student village together with new cycle and pedestrian links to the surrounding area as well as the expansion of the Bristol SETsquared business enterprise hub.
The consultation has evidently been very successful, consolidating faith in the project. Patrick Finch, Bursar and Director of Estates at the University of Bristol, says, “We had lots of useful feedback during our outline planning consultation, which we’ve looked at carefully and used to help shape our plans.
“Following on from the public’s input, we’ve carried out a detailed transport assessment for the site which looks at off-site car parking, management of transport and construction impact. We’ve also done more work on flood risk.
“It’s been encouraging to see so much engagement, which we hope will continue throughout the planning process.”
Attracting the top tech talent
The key for the development is to bring all the top talent from around the UK to Bristol. It’s no accident the new campus is located in the vibrant business centre of Temple Quarter.
“We aim to reintegrate into the community by working closely with local businesses”
As Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, previously told us, “This will transform the city and University for the better. We aim to reintegrate into the community by working closely with local businesses.”
The University also plans to share its resources with a multitude of groups and individuals aside from typical students. There is already talk of opening the site on weekends for adult further education classes and providing meeting spaces for businesses in the area that may require it.
For more information, you can check out Temple Quarter’s website. To keep up with its latest news, follow the University of Bristol on Twitter here: @BristolUni.
