Decisions

This project is essential to delivering the vision and objectives for city centre, as outlined in the City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (DDP), endorsed by Cabinet in December 2023. The DDP sets the vision and principles for the regeneration of Bristol city centre. This project will help deliver the DDP aim to rejuvenate Bristol’s historic Castle Park as a safer, more accessible, inclusive space for all. Castle Park is a key asset for the city, and delivering this project is integral to delivering the green space required for the new Broadmead neighbourhood (circa 5000 new residents) as well as the wider city. The next phase of procuring design services and develop a planning application for Castle Park, will be fully funded by Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy, without any matching contribution from council funds.
Decision to procure design services was made following the Key Decision on the 5 December 2023 which authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Mayor, to procure and award the contract(s) (which may be above the key decision threshold) necessary to progress the designs and secure planning approval for the transformation of Castle Park.

Approval to award contract from Bristol City Council to Constellia for design services for Castle Park.

In December 2024 – Strategy and Resources Committee unanimously approved the project:
1.To approve the proposal to spend up to £33,383,400 in PWLB borrowing on the acquisition of up to 75 homes for use as Temporary Accommodation subject to:
•a. the Full Business Case being signed off;
•b. the £33,383,400 (or such other amount as agreed) being approved within the Council’s full budget for the 2025/26 financial year.
2.To authorise the Executive Director: Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the S151 Officer and Chair of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to take all steps required to sign off and implement the Full Business Case.
This ODN documents the Full Business Case being signed off including the below additions:
a)Approval to add LAHF £3.3m grant to the project with no additional committed savings until delivery is more confident of extra units
b)Approval to rollover any unspent capital into 25/26 financial year to deliver outstanding units
c)Approval to purchase as many suitable units as the budget allows

Approve Full Business Case to purchase properties for Temporary Accommodation, to add £3.3m of LAHF funding to the budget, to allow rollover of unspent budget into 26/27 financial year and to purchase as many suitable properties with the budget as possible.