Legal & General launch consultation on landmark Temple Island

Legal & General is beginning engagement on its landmark new scheme at Temple Island, Bristol, and is asking people to share their views on the area around the site. Located in the heart of Temple Quarter regeneration area, Temple Island will become a vibrant new urban district delivering much needed new private and affordable homes, as well as generating economic benefit through inward investment and job creation. The development will deliver significant social and environmental benefit through creating centrally located workplaces and homes in an inclusive, thriving community.

The emerging plans for Temple Island will bring 500 new homes, with a target of 40% affordable homes, up to 2,000 new jobs and a new hotel and conference centre to a previously developed brownfield site. Through this multi-million-pound investment, Legal & General is committed to creating a place that puts wellbeing and sustainability at its core, and one that will benefit the local economy, the environment and the communities that surround it.

Having invested over £300 million in the city to date across residential and commercial real estate, Legal & General has been part of the fabric of Bristol for a number of years. Most recently, in 2021, Legal & General launched Box Makers’ Yard, a residential scheme delivering 379 new rental homes. With over 11,500 sq. ft of resident amenity, Box Makers’ Yard sits right in the heart of Temple Quarter – designed from the ground up to bring a best-in-class build to rent offer to Bristol.

Legal & General has invested over £33bn in levelling up regional economies through major UK wide regeneration schemes in locations including Sunderland, Cardiff, Salford and Newcastle, alongside direct investments in clean energy, transport infrastructure and multi-tenure homes.

In Cardiff, over £1bn has been invested to deliver housing at Central Quay and Central Square, office space including The Interchange and a Government Hub, the Parkgate Hotel, as well as financing for a cutting-edge new train fleet. In Newcastle, a unique partnership between Newcastle City Council, Legal & General and Newcastle University has delivered the market-leading Newcastle Helix – an exemplar sustainable urban development, combining prestigious commercial and residential space with first class research and education facilities, creating 4,000 jobs.

Ben Rodgers, head of regeneration for Legal & General Investment Management, said:

“We are truly excited to continue the conversation about the future of Temple Island. The project presents a huge opportunity to create a scheme which puts sustainability, inclusivity and wellbeing at the heart of its design”

“Temple Island has stood vacant since 1995, so we’re delighted to discuss our proposals to deliver a vibrant new district, offering major employment opportunities, much-needed homes as well as the facilities to attract tourism and delegates from around the world. We really believe this scheme will play its part in supporting the growth of Bristol, and cementing its position as a leading place to live and work.

We realise how important the future of this site is to the City and want to understand from the local communities how we can make Temple Island an area that Bristolians are proud of.”

Residents are being invited to attend community drop-in events to find out more and meet the team. Events are being held at the Engine Shed, Redcliffe on the 9 March between 1pm-6pm and on 11 March between 10am and 2pm. An online webinar will be held on 13 March which people can register to attend via the project website www.https://templeislandbristol.co.uk. On the website is also an interactive map and survey where residents are being given the opportunity to add their comments and questions.

This first round of engagement events will focus on listening to the community’s ideas and aspirations. As work begins to design the new urban district, Legal & General want to understand what people think of the area and how to ensure the site fits with and supports the surrounding context of Temple Quarter. There will be further public consultation on the emerging plans later this year, and this first stage will help to ensure the plans respond to local aspirations.

Situated next to Temple Meads station, the 2.74 hectares site is part of the wider Temple Quarter regeneration project. Legal and General will share Temple Island with the University of Bristol, who are currently developing the northern part of the site.