The University of Bristol has outlined its plans for its £300m Temple Quarter campus (TQC).
“The project builds on Bristol’s reputation as one of the world’s leading digital cities”
The design will now go to an architecture firm for detailed development. Four companies have been approached, says Dave Cliff, academic director of TQC (above).
A digital future: An artist’s impression of the planned £300m campus
The designs will include support for leading edge smart city and Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure.
“Not only does the project build on Bristol’s reputation as one of the world’s leading digital cities, but it’s injecting life into a derelict site [pictured right] and creating unprecedented opportunities for our students and the community we’re so proud to be part of,” says Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol.
The outline planning permission is for seven new buildings on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office and part of Arena Island, providing a mix of flexible research and teaching facilities, accommodation for up to 1,500 students and a range of commercial outlets.
Teaching and research will focus on postgraduate research in digital technologies and will produce 2000 graduates a year with cloud computing and technology skills across a wide range of different subjects when it opens in 2021.
A new £43 million Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre has already been announced for the campus, along with Engine Shed 3, the third generation of the award winning technology business accelerator. This follows granting of planning permission for Engine Shed 2 this month.
Anyone can benefit
The TQC facilities will also be opened up for public use, including a training and skills centre and resources which can be used by community groups.
The campus will be car free and aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. Dedicated bus routes will connect it with the existing Clifton campus and there will also be new walking and cycle routes to connect the development with the rest of the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The University plans to run a public consultation on its detailed plans in Spring 2018.
The full outline planning application can be viewed on the Bristol City Council website at https://www.bristol.gov.uk/planning-and-building-regulations/search-and-track-planning-applications.
