Initial infrastructure work is set to begin on the £100m first phase of the 178 acre Hengrove Park development in South Bristol.

The first phase of the multi-use development is planned to comprise of a 118,403 sq ft community hospital, a 118,403 sq ft skills academy, a Healthplex leisure centre, a 204,514 sq ft office building set to become the new European headquarters for Computershare and 74,270 sq ft of office space for Constellation Europe.

Following the initial infrastructure work construction is planned to begin on the skills academy and Constellation building during autumn 2008. Construction on the rest of development will begin in early 2009. Upon completion it is hoped that Hengrove Park will have created 2,000 jobs for the local area. The second phase of development is planned to include a number of homes.

Hengrove Park is being supported by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) who sees it as being a central part of the wider regeneration of South Bristol.

Ian Knight, area director for the SWRDA, told PIN: “ South Bristol offers a place where the need for major regeneration sits alongside the potential to create something astonishing and visionary. Crucially, Hengrove Park will also help strengthen Bristol’s international reputation and economic competitiveness, which are crucial to the success of the South West regional and UK economies as a whole.”