Almost every city and town is facing a dilemma over the future of its central business district at the moment. Regeneration strategies based on new retail and commercial development, which have proved effective for decades, can’t necessarily be relied on anymore. While most cities and towns are aware of this problem Bristol appears to have a clear plan for how a solution might be found. So in this report we will take a look at Bristol’s City Centre Development & Delivery Plan and what it could mean for Bristol city centre over the next few years.

First a quick introduction. Bristol has developed apace over the last three decades or so and has cemented its role as a significant regional UK city. The city centre has seen extensive regeneration and development and, as well as traditional commercial and retail uses, has become a visitor and leisure destination. It has also attracted new and emerging industries and become a sought-after location for commercial occupiers. The city also has a large university sector and student accommodation market. Alongside this, however, the central area still has districts which require regeneration.

Bristol’s economic development has impacted the residential market here. It has some of the highest house prices (circa £362,000) of any regional city. There is a housing shortage and many residents are priced out of both the sales and rental markets in the city itself. Bristol’s Draft Local Plan commits the city to deliver at least 33,500 new homes by 2036 to meet housing need and support the city’s growing population.

Now let us look more closely at the Bristol City Centre Development & Delivery Plan, or DDP. The Plan originates from the City Centre Framework, adopted in 2020, which set out principles and broad proposals on infrastructure, public spaces and the approach to regeneration and development in this area. However, the City Centre Framework was only the start of the thinking required to deliver change. The Plan aims to move this forward to provide the vision and guidance needed to co-ordinate this change.

Bristol City Council states that the Plan is intended to ‘guide the recovery, regeneration and transformation of Bristol city centre’. It will look at what needs to be done specifically in the city centre to create inclusive and sustainable economic growth and provide quality homes. It aims to create jobs that people can reach sustainably and provide thriving leisure and retail sectors and a night time economy. It aims to provide quality public spaces, a green and healthy environment as well as respond to climate and ecological emergencies.