Initial vision for new University campus revealed
The University has announced its initial vision for the new £30 million campus next to Bristol Temple Meads, known as the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.
The seven-acre site will replace the derelict Royal Mail sorting office next to Temple Meads and although designs are in their infancy, there are plans for landmark buildings, public spaces and a new student village.
The derelict Royal Mail Sorting office
Teaching and research on the campus will concentrate on digital technologies, the University’s way of adding to Bristol’s reputation as one of the world’s leading digital cities. In collaboration with industry and partner organisations, new degree programmes will be designed in an effort to provide students with the right skills to succeed in these industries.
Professor Dave Cliff, who is leading the academic side of the project, said: “The new campus will focus on the digital technologies of the future and the skills, ethics, business models and infrastructure that turn digital opportunities into jobs, wealth and wellbeing that benefits the whole of society.
“We are working with partners, large and small, to put innovation at the heart of our campus and to build a talent pipeline of creative graduates who embrace social responsibility as well as opportunity. These graduates will be prepared to tackle global challenges that we can’t yet imagine.”
Students aside, the University are also keen to develop the brownfield site in the interests of the community with plans to include new cycle and pedestrian links, expansion of the Engine Shed enterprise hub, high-quality landscaping and potentially adult education opportunities.
Aerial initial plan of the new £300m campus
Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said: “I look forward to the development of plans for the new University of Bristol Enterprise Campus planned for the heart of the Enterprise Zone. This new world class facility has the potential to turn a derelict site into an inclusive home for digital excellence, offering a vast range of opportunities and building on the city’s reputation as a leading digital city.”
Professor Hugh Brady, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol, said: “We have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reimagine the future of our University as one of the world’s great civic universities while also transforming a key site at the heart of our city.
“Our new campus is very much a work in progress and we would welcome people’s feedback, on everything from education provision, research and innovation to community engagement and transport links. We don’t know exactly what it will look like yet, but we do know that we want it to feel welcoming to everyone and to be a place for the whole city to learn, explore and enjoy.”
The University is encouraging students to share their views and help shape the new campus by taking part in a public consultation, which will run online from 19 June to 21 July. (www.bristol.ac.uk/TempleQuarter). Public exhibitions of the plans are being held at Engine Shed and Beacon house from 20th June to 7th July.
A second consultation round will be held in September, after which a planning application will be submitted to Bristol City council. Construction work is scheduled to get underway in 2019 and it's hoped the campus will open in time for the start of the 2021/22 academic year.
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