Proposals for the regeneration of Western Harbour have been updated in response to people’s views. Now Bristol City Council is seeking feedback on a draft masterplan for the iconic area.  

The draft masterplan for Western Harbour sets out detailed proposals for where new homes, community spaces, businesses, walking and cycling routes, roads and greenspaces could go within the area that extends to the westernmost end of Bristol’s floating harbour from Hotwells to Greville Smyth Park, including Cumberland Basin and the New Cut.  

Visit www.harbourhopes.co.uk before Sunday 9 March 2025 to view the masterplan’s detailed proposals, complete a short survey to tell us what you think or find out about other opportunities to hear from us and have your say at our exhibitions and webinars. 

We’ve listened to feedback and have adjusted our proposals for Western Harbour based on how people felt about the initial ideas shared back in the autumn. 
We’re delighted to be able to retain Riverside Garden Centre in its current location and look forward to continuing our work with them to develop plans for how the garden centre will look in the future.  

Ashton Meadows will remain a green open space linking Greville Smyth Park to the river and to the recreational spaces of Ashton Court and Leigh Woods beyond.  

The draft masterplan also addresses the acute need for housing in Bristol, proposing between 750 and 1200 new homes for the area whilst ensuring the Grade II-listed bonded warehouses, while repurposed remain the dominant features of the skyline to the west of the city.

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council

During Autumn 2024 we gathered opinions from the public and stakeholders, including local residents and community organisations, on initial ideas for how the area could be improved. Working with our technical experts and masterplanners, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, we have now considered all the feedback gathered, alongside the findings from technical surveys and research, and developed detailed proposals that form the draft masterplan. 

There was significant support to keep Brunel Way overpass in its existing position. Proposals include improvements to the landscape around the overpass and freeing up space for trees and wildlife by replacing the many interweaving routes with a single road – this has the potential to remove around five football pitches of tarmac. 

One key part of the masterplan is how we can make Western Harbour more accessible, by improving pedestrian and cycle paths and creating better connections to make it easier to get around and enjoy the area. A riverside park and elevated riverwalk that would integrate with the Bristol Avon Flood Strategy flood defences would enhance the experience for anyone walking, cycling or wheeling through Western Harbour, encouraging them to stop and enjoy the views whilst also engaging with nature.  

By bringing together the well-established assets, heritage and communities in the area with a mix of new shops, cafés, cultural uses, creative workspaces and homes we can create a vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood.   

There are still many steps ahead of us before we can begin any work on the ground, including works to address the ageing road and bridge network. We will continue to provide opportunities for you to have your say and influence the evolving masterplan.

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee and Harbour Committee

Watch our short film which explains the detailed proposals set out in the draft masterplan and includes animations of what for Western Harbour could look like:

The Western Harbour project is funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through the Investment Fund, administered by the Mayoral Combined Authority (TBC by MCA). 

Have your say and find out more 

You can view the masterplan’s detailed proposals and complete a short survey online to tell us what you think at www.harbourhopes.co.uk until Sunday 9 March 2025.  

Exhibitions presenting the proposals can be visited at   

• the Create Centre from 11 February to 5 March, during the centre’s opening hours, or 
• Museum Square from 11 February to 9 March.   

Meet the team and share your thoughts:   

• in person at Underfall Yard on Saturday 1 March between 10am and 4pm – no need to book, just turn up, or  
• online during one of our webinars (BSL interpreted) on Wednesday 12 February or Tuesday 25 February from 6.30pm to 8pm – visit www.harbourhopes.co.uk to sign up.  

All of the feedback we receive will be considered by the masterplan team as they finalise proposals. After a statutory consultation period we will then present the masterplan, shaped by your views and feedback, to the council’s Economy and Skills Committee for consideration in Summer / Autumn 2025. As the project progresses and the proposals are further developed there will be more opportunities to tell us how you feel about the evolving masterplan.

Original press release by Bristol City Council