The Model
With the kind support of architects Edward Nash we have outlined a masterplan as below (click on plans for larger version).
 The Site |
 The Village |
This shows the potential of this site to support a development that is very different from the standard model. It outlines a community development based on the Freiburg model which is a successful sustainable community development in Germany. Bristol City Council along with the regional health authority and UWE visited this development in 2009 and produced a glowing report of how this model could form the basis of new community development in Bristol (link to Freiburg report). This report is sadly being ignored.
The development is designed to minimize the impact on the environment and protect the valuable infrastructure of the College and the open space which would be lost to a conventional development. The plans show how the College campus could be transformed into a new sustainable “village” with a mix of houses and apartments, community space and workshops built around a village green. Existing college buildings would be retained and reused rather than being bulldozed for development. A new commercial hub would be created in the main college building with café, shops, studio and workspace. The sports hall would be retained for recreation sport and performance space and build workshops would offer self builders access to building and skills training facilities. The Village would also see the development of a new health centre and pharmacy.
Off the campus the open space would be sensitively developed for a mix of social and affordable housing respecting the value of the green space and natural habitats. Pockets of self build and cohousing would have their own community identity. A green production area would offer growing space with community allotments. Car use on the site would be restricted with houses and the Village linked by walkways and cycleways.
