Multi-million pound funding to boost Hengrove Park regeneration

A further £12.5 million of funding from Bristol City Council and the government is set to be invested in South Bristol to create new jobs, housing, health services, leisure opportunities and community facilities.

Most of the cash would go towards the cost of creating the road access, services, landscaping, open space, parking facilities and other infrastructure works needed to open up land at Hengrove Park for Phase 1 of an exciting regeneration scheme.

Subject to planning approvals, the initial phase of the programme would include a South Bristol Community Hospital funded by the NHS, a South Bristol Skills Academy, a 'Healthplex' leisure centre and a new 19,000 square metres business headquarters building.

The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) announced last week that their board had agreed to invest a further £8.5 million in the scheme - and next week (March 13th 2008) the city council's Cabinet will meet to consider doubling the council's overall investment in the initial stage of the scheme from £5 million to £10 million.

The city council is also confident that the government will approve a further £7.5 million from its national 'growth points' fund to support the first phase of the project.

Other money will come mainly from land sales.

If agreed, the latest funding would bring the total resources available to deliver the infrastructure to over £28 million.

The Cabinet will meet just 24 hours after the council's Area Development Committee (South and East) has considered planning applications for the infrastructure works and both the South Bristol Community Hospital and South Bristol Skills Academy.

Councillor Helen Holland, Leader of Bristol City Council said: "The Hengrove Park development will deliver a wide range of new opportunities and facilities for the people of South Bristol, helping to tackle deprivation and disadvantage and ensuring even more residents share in the success of our city's powerful economy.

I believe it will transform South Bristol into one of the most sought after places to live, work, invest and play in the south west and deliver significant economic benefits for the West of England and the south west region as a whole.

“The Cabinet’s support for this additional investment underlines its commitment to the Hengrove Park scheme and the wider regeneration of South Bristol.

“It sends a powerful message to our partners that we are determined to drive the project forward should it secure planning permission.”