Choice of developer for Harbourside site 'flawed'
BRISTOL City Council has denied claims that the process to appoint a developer to revamp a neglected part of the Harbourside was flawed.
The council is due to rubber-stamp a decision today to appoint a developer for a major scheme at the historic Redcliffe Wharf.
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A developer is to be appointed for Redcliffe Wharf
The Liberal Democrat-run cabinet is expected to agree to appoint a preferred developer for the site, which was used several years ago for a city beach, at a meeting this week.
London-based Complex Development Projects Ltd, which specialises in regeneration schemes, working alongside Government agencies, local authorities and charities, is being recommended for the scheme.
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The firm wants to use the site for a 30,000sq ft office building, together with 14 homes, two large restaurants and a mix of small cafes, shop and workshop-office buildings. The developer also wants to create public open spaces and reopen pedestrian links to the Quaker burial ground, which is hidden away on the corner of the busy St Mary Redcliffe roundabout.
But one group representing local traders and residents is claiming it was stopped from taking part in the process, leaving it fatally flawed.
The council has been working on a scheme to redevelop the area for more than seven years and one developer – London-based Westmark – was appointed, only to then pull out.
Keith Hallett from community group Redcliffe Futures has claimed that the organisation was excluded from the selection process.
He said: "The whole process was seriously flawed from the moment we were excluded from having a say.
"What we wanted was a scheme that represented the history and heritage of Bristol docks.
"The docks are what made this city great and people wanted to see a representation of that. Instead what we will get is a continuation of the kind of bland redevelopment that has already blighted most of the Harbourside.
"There are plenty of people with views about what should be happening at what, after all, is one of the most important sites in Bristol but they have just been ignored."
An independent report into the bidding process was carried out after concerns were raised. The findings, which mostly exonerated the council, were made public at a scrutiny committee last week.
A spokesman for the city council said: "Following concerns about the preferred developer bidding process for Redcliffe Wharf, the chief executive commissioned the council's independent auditors, Grant Thornton, to look at the matter.
"Their report essentially shows that the council has followed the appropriate process.
"However, they do make recommendations for how we can make improvements to ensure greater clarity and transparency, and we shall be acting on these."
The report found that there was no evidence that the council acted other than in good faith to secure a suitable developer for the site.
However, it added that "there are lessons to be learnt and improvements made in relation to both governance and communication of future processes".
Comments
by PJ1979
Wednesday, July 11 2012, 8:25AM
“Why do people question the need to new A grade office space?
A simple answer would be to point out that if developers can't sell new office space they would not build it, so there is clearly a market demand.
Yes there are empty and underused office buildings, but that reflects the continually evolving office market and renew required to keep our office stock in the best shape. Over time new offices will get refurbished to keep them attractive and rentable, but eventually the quality is insufficent even for lower secondary rents. At this point they are normally redeveloped. A new office is hardly exciting but what do people want, no new office space and a faltering city centre economy?”
by allananlyn
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 11:05PM
“why not make somthing more affordable for the community of bristol,,,i rarely visit the city center any more, everything is so expensive and there is very little on offer for people with children, bristol city is becoming yuppified it seems
#”
by PhiliDV
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 8:20PM
“Question.....
How many more 'office blocks' does Bristol need?
The vast majority of those that exist in the city are only half full, if that!”
by smoosername
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 7:29PM
“I would say there are better views to be had in Bristol - http://tinyurl.com/bn8989q
This place to view it will still exist - http://tinyurl.com/crw73uf
Someone, somewhere at some point will always complain that a 'spectacular view' (itself a completely subjective opinion) will always be spoilt. Should that be reason enough to stop a possible newly built building, itself some people may consider a better view?
I'm sure when St Mary Redcliffe was built, it spoilt someones view.”
by oldbristolian
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 6:59PM
“@smoosername
The sheer sight that greats you at any time in the year is truly spectacular. When I take a walk through there I often hear visitors commenting what a wonderful sight it is. That part of Bristol is historic and its also the gateway into the city from Temple Meads. St Mary Redcliffe in its own right is historically a massive part of Bristol`s history it would be wrong to squeeze it out of view.
I never underestimate the stupidity of idiots but i sometimes wonder where they get their inspirations from !”
by Robthepoor
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 6:23PM
“Interesting choice - a developer who doesn't appear to have done such a sensitive scheme who are based in Coventry/London against one who has delivered many local schemes and originated in Bath/Bristol. Look at their respective web sites.
http://tinyurl.com/77wjw2r
http://tinyurl.com/7ksxgbc
14 homes is the maximum that can be developed without offering any affordable homes”
by AliRobertson
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 4:44PM
“@Bemmy_Boy
I assume from your pic that you think the developer will be George Ferguson. In fact the answer is in the article: "London-based Complex Development Projects Ltd...is being recommended for the scheme."”
by J12345678
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 2:06PM
“Don't forget other developers had 'bid high but delivered low' by offering affordable/S106 money only to plead poverty and have BCC roll over and not enforce the planning commitments.”
by Bemmy_Boy
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 1:48PM
“Liberal Democrat-run cabinet looking for a new developer for Bristol site.
Any bets?
KERCHING !!”
by J12345678
Wednesday, July 04 2012, 1:36PM
“Why more offices with so much vacant deskspace in Bristol? Open space has the unique status that once built on it can't be recovered for future generations. It's a real shame that public space has such a low value in emotional and economic value with all these rabbit-hutch developments.”