University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter campus could face five-year delay, MP warns

The University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter campus could be delayed by up to five years without £150million of government help, an MP told Parliament.

The warning came as four cross-party local MPs put their case directly to the housing minister for huge amounts of Whitehall cash for the city’s major infrastructure projects to kickstart the region’s coronavirus recovery.

They failed to get concrete promises during the Westminster Hall debate, which was secured by Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, but minister Christopher Pincher said the Government was committed to providing “immediate financial stimulus” to cities like Bristol.

The university’s city centre enterprise campus on the site of the former Royal Mail sorting office on Temple Island received full planning consent from the city council in March, while 953 students will be housed in three blocks up to 21 storeys high in the £500million development.

Last month, the university unveiled a proposed expansion, before work has even started, for five buildings up to eight floors tall which would transform a former industrial area next to Temple Meads station.

But Ms McCarthy told the Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday (October 14) that if the Government did not approve a bid from the institution for £150million, it would be seriously delayed because of the impact of the pandemic.

She said the city’s biggest regeneration scheme, Temple Quarter, would generate 22,000 new jobs, at least 10,000 homes and provide an economic boost of £1.6billion a year.

The Labour MP said the new campus, which is a major part of that, was “shovel-ready” and the university’s bid would leverage £650million of investment.

“It is estimated this development will bring £626million into the regional economy over the next decade and act as a catalyst for a further £2billion of development on adjacent sites,” she said.

“I know the Government is very keen to support shovel-ready projects.

“In this case a contractor is onboard, planning permissions have been secured and construction could start in January 2021, with the campus to open in 2023.

“Without government support, because of Covid the project will be delayed for three to five years.

“We know that as a city we can deliver but we need help to do so.”

Kingswood Tory MP Chris Skidmore said: “The Temple Quarter development can not only regenerate an area of Bristol realising its potential, it can unlock the potential for future investment in innovation for the whole region.

“This is an important bid of which there are several being considered as part of the Government’s determination to level up the regions.

“We do need investment from central government to realise these exciting projects.”

They were joined by Labour’s Bristol South MP Karin Smyth and Bristol North West MP Darren Jones in calling for money.

Mr Pincher told the debate: “As we lay the foundations for our recovery from the Covid emergency, the Government is determined to invest in communities like Bristol so we can get them back on their feet and fulfil their potential.

“And I am heartened by what I’ve heard about the collaborative work we see across the community and the city between leaders and partners to realise their vision for sustainability, connectivity and inclusive growth.

“It is right we look to build on this momentum together and support our regions in this levelling up opportunity, and that will be the focus of the upcoming spending review.

“The Government is committed to playing its part in providing immediate financial stimulus and capital infrastructure investment.

“So I make this commitment on behalf of my Rt Hon friend the Chancellor – we will look carefully and considerately at all sensible projects which are brought forward.

“I won’t make specific commitments on his behalf but we are keen to ensure that through the spending review and other avenues, buzzing and thriving cities such as Bristol are supported.”

A spokesperson for the university, which has launched a public consultation into its proposed campus expansion ahead of submitting an outline planning application, said afterwards: “The University of Bristol is seeking support from government to progress development of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.

“The project is shovel-ready and construction could start in January 2021.

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“Without government support, there is a risk that the project will be delayed.

“We can confirm that we have submitted a proposal for £150million support.

“We welcome the support for our proposal and the other Temple Quarter developments shown by Bristol and regional MPs and the mayors of Bristol and the West of England.”