Major plans to transform a landmark Bristol building are still awaiting planning approval more than one year on.
Developer First Base submitted its planning application last March for the former Soapworks factory in Old Market, which was home to long-established retailer Gardiner Haskins until 2018.
It wants to convert the historic Grade II listed building into a ground floor food hall with office space above, and build two new buildings next to it including a 20-storey apartment block.
The original £175m plan was for 166 homes, an apart-hotel, plus retail, leisure, commercial and business space, but the plans were amended to potentially replace the apart-hotel with more flats.
It is currently proposing 242 homes including affordable housing, 150,000 sq ft of commercial office and retail space, a food and drink hall and more than 6,000sq m of green, open and play spaces for the community to use.
First Base has calculated that its proposal will generate "up to £200 million in long-term community benefits", or 'social value’, over the next 20 years.
It is supporting various local charities and organisations and anticipates that the scheme will deliver more than 2,000 new jobs, but it is still waiting on a planning decision from Bristol City Council.
The developer has also pledged to support wildlife and the environment, introducing more than 100 new species of plants and trees and the facility for ‘grow-your-own’ fruit and vegetables.
'Social value at its heart'
Lucinda Mitchell, project director at First Base said: "Embedding social value into our developments is at the heart of everything we do at First Base and the Soapworks is no exception.
"We want to ensure that tangible long-term community benefits are maximised throughout the life-cycle of the project and that our proposals benefit wider society, whether that’s residents, workers or visitors to the site.
"We’re delighted to be contributing to Bristol’s inclusive and sustainable recovery with £200 million in social value to provide a much-needed boost after the pandemic."
In April the council's own City Design Group objected to the original plan, and said the proposal was "double" the scale suitable for the site.
Just before Christmas Historic England maintained its previous objection to the plan despite the proposals being tweaked, and said it would "unduly dominate the street scene".
The Environment Agency also reiterated its flood risk objection in December, and First Base has since submitted updated flooding prevention strategies in response.
Plans have since been revised again to include additional affordable homes, and additional indoor and outdoor space for people to work and exercise from home.
The most recent comments from Bristol residents have been positive about the benefits the development would bring to the area.
Commenting on the application, St Philips resident Simon Chandler said: "This is a great opportunity for the area, having been a resident for the past 12 years, it is great to see so much investment in the area."
The Grand Appeal, which raises money for Bristol Children's Hospital, has also submitted a supportive comment.
Identifying the Appeal as one of First Base's chosen charities, its comment read: "Their team are invested in making a difference to the local community as part of their commitment to delivering social value in the short and long term."
First Base has also partnered with other Bristol organisations including Cognitive Paths and Black South West Network, to support diversity in the procurement process, City of Bristol College, to provide skills and training opportunities for young people, 1625 Independent People to help tackle homelessness, and local school Hannah More Primary.
Amy Archer, work placement officer at City of Bristol College, said: “We are pleased that First Base is committed to providing great opportunities for young people to gain hands-on experience within the construction industry and help them to develop a trade for the future.”
Dom Wood, chief executive at 1625 Independent People, added: “We’re pleased that First Base will to deliver long-term benefits to the local community.
"Not only will the proposed mix of housing fulfil local needs, First Base’s support for our work will help to play a part in tackling growing homelessness in the city."
More details can be found on the project's website or by searching the council's planning page for 20/01150/F.
The council has not yet set a target date for its decision.
