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GLOUCESTER | Full Summary of Projects

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#1 · (Edited)
OFFICIAL GLOUCESTER REGENERATION

Gloucester is a prosperous and exciting city located near the Welsh border on the banks of the River Severn. It has a long and detailed history dating back to the Roman times and was an important industrial hub for much of this time. Following changes in industry, the city saw a large decline during the last half of the 20th century.

Following large scale investment and promotion of the city, it now boasts impressive architecture, innovative industry and an improving retail scene.

Below is a summary of the latest projects and details of completed work.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Gloucester Quays
Gloucester Quays has been a massive £400million investment into Gloucester by the Peel Investment Group. The first phases are completed, being a designer outlet centre, Travelodge Hotel, Sainsburys Supermarket and new college site for GLOSCAT.

The latest phase is a £40million plan to build a 10screen Cineworld cinema above 10 bar/retaurant units in the area between the canal and the outlet centre. Nandos and Pizza Express are already tenents of this area. Restaurants believed to be interested include Carluccios and Wagamamas.


Gloucester Docks
Work is completed on a multi-million pound plan to convert the former antique centre into high end apartments. Another apartment block has been completed with the architecture designed to sympathetically fit in with the local surroundings and historic Gloucester Docks.

Ecclasiastical Insurance and due to imminently start work on their new Headquarters building on the current Southgate Street surface car park. The last news was that the company had committed themselves to site and appointed architects to draw up the plans.

St Oswalds Park Final Phases
Residential phases continue by Charles Church/Persimmon and there are new apartment blocks being constructed alongside the retirement centre and behind the B&Q store.

Kingsway
Many thousands of houses are being build on the western fringe of Gloucester by a consortium of 8 house builders. There will be 3-400 houses plus a new neighbourhood centre, parks, 2 schools and shops once complete. Neighbourhoods 2&3 have recently been launched, and construction of the new school has begun. The retail provision so far includes Tesco Express, Badhams Pharmacy and a pub. A large Asda has been confirmed for the area just off the A38 with work due to start soon.

Railway Triangle
Work has now started to clear the site and lay down services to the railway riangle site. This will become home to a large new Morrisons store and petrol station alongwith light industrial units, small retail stores and restaurants.

PROPOSED

Greyfriars
Estimated at £60million, it occupies the site formerly held by Gloscat on Brunswick Road. The old teaching blocks will be demolished, and a new sustainable neighbourhood built, including new retail, offices and restaurants plus a new public square. The recession has impacted on this development, having been delayed and Edward Ware homes being dropped as preffered developer. Construction is due to start in March/April 2010 following a 1 year public consultation (very favourable as well). The new developer Linden Homes will construct abotu 400 units with £60 million estimated investment in the area.

Bakers Quay
No recent news and the site has been put on the market.

Kings Quarter
The plans here include the demolition of the Bus station and carparks, and to extend the Kings Walk Shopping mall. The contruction of a new flagship department store is proposed. Kings Square would also be totally redeveloped, and the bus station would move to the car park of Land Registry (opposite the train station). Kings Square itself would be filled with new retail stores and the square moved north to sit where the current bus station and taxi ranks are- better linking the station to the city centre. Stanhope Plc are behind the plans and have a succesful legacy at delivering high quality retail driven regeneration- most notably in Exeter. The project will be worth an estimated £80-100million.

OTHER PROJECTS

Contract Chemicals Site, Bristol Road
a masterplan for this former factory site is currently being drawn up, but looks likely to be mixed use including offices, housing and light industry, and is estimated to be worth £30million.

COMPLETED

Gloucester Quays Phases 1-3
The Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet Centre has been completed and opened with great success. There are currently 60 stores let and many more due to be announced shortly. Stores such as Nike, Calvin Klein, The White Company, Gap are all making first appearances in Gloucester and often the county.



Also included in the project was a new Sainsburys Superstore, bringing with it 200 jobs.


A new iconic Bridge finally connecting St Anns way to Hempsted

Finally, a new campus for Gloucestershire opened in Phase1 of the project. Being hailed as a major success and setting the ball rolling for the wider Quays development


Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Completed a couple of years ago, this redevelopment provided Gloucester with premier health facitilies including new childrens wards, X-ray, orthopaedics, A&E, wards and new parking. The project cost ~£30million.

Ibis Hotel
Due to be build on the Eastern Avenue roundabout behind the Total Petrol Station, this large Ibis hotel brings much needed hotel space to the city.


St Oswolds Park Phases 1&2
On the site which was formerly the Gloucester Cattle Market, this landmark development has seen the biggest B&Q store in the western world, plus a DW Fitness, Mothercare, Argos, SCS, Frankie and Benny's, Subway, Dominoes, Natwest, Homesense and Harvester.

The project is valued at £100million and was a joint venture between Hammerson Developments and Gloucester City Council.

Gloucester Docks
Crest Nicholson have spent £10's millions on regenerating Gloucester Docks and restoring them to their former glory. They have also build two new blocks around Barge Arm, containing shops and restaurants in the bottom.


Gloucester Rugby Club
The club has undergone a large scale expansion project, seeing the second new stand contructed in 3 years. The capacity of the club is being increased to 17000 from 6000. The stand is estimated at £6million.

Gloucester Northern Bypass
Gloucester welcomed the opening of a new £43million bypass, opening up the western waterfront of the city and the Monk Meadow portion of gloucester quays for development. The bypass has significantly improved traffic congestion down Bristol Road.


Here are the projects in relation to the city centre:


As you can see, Gloucester is indeed undergoing a rebirth, so please comment, discuss, add pictures and renders...Gloucester is worth talking about!
 
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#3 ·
A few other lil bits of news...

The main stand at Kingsholm has started to be demolished this week to make way for a much larger grandstand with many more seats, in order to comply with new Premier Rugby League regulations. The new grandstand will seat 7000 fans, increasing the overall capacity to 17000 when its completed. This could end up being a temporary development, as there is rumour that Gloucester Rugby Club, The University of Gloucestershire and the City Council are in talks over building a whole new stadum complex and sports village along with student housing on derelict land on the 'railway triangle' just off Metz Way

Some recent commercial openings/developments...-Sainsburys Northgate street is due to undergo refurbishment to bring it in line with the Sainsburys more modern image. The superstore in Barnwood is also due to undergo expansion.
-Sports World Northgate street should open any day now. One of the biggest stores in Gloucester city when open, it will be spread over at least 3 floors.
-Greggs have just opened in the Eastgate shopping centre, their second branch in the city.
-Fopp and The Perfume Store are two new tenents in Kings Walk Shopping centre, and Claire's Accesories have moved to a bigger new store in the centre.

Commercial openings in Gloucester are likely to stagnate somewhat over the next few months, partly due to a lack of retail space, but with all the new developments, it seems likely that retailers will hold off for more prime space to be built.
 
#4 ·
kingsholm demolition in progress

thought ide add some photos of activity at the rugby ground , when this stand is compleated , capacity will be just under 17000 , leaving only the "shed" side to be redeveloped.

demolition in progress thursday 29-march


the new stand


the east stand compleated 2005/6


nb sorry 4 picture sizes first attempt
 
#5 ·
Latest update on Gloucester Quays

Peel Developments have confirmed they have 15 architects working on the project right now, and detailed plans are being drawn up. Demolition work on site is due to start on St Anns way, opposite the Peel centre cinema complex, to allow a new junction to be constructed (this will be a cross roads allowing access to the new Fashion Outlet Centre).

Work on the St Anns Linkroad bridge are also progressing, with two large cranes now on site to begin constructing the bridge deck.
 
#6 ·
Latest Gloucester News:

The New Gloucester South West Bypass is due to open in a matter of weeks, completing the Ring Road around the city after over 30years delay! The Netherridge section includes a large new swing bridge and the first canal diversion and construction in many decades.

Gloucester City Council also has plans to relocate the city's main market onto a site that runs along side the new bypass, on a purpose built scheme. The newsite would also include a tourist attraction, in the form of a new home for the Barn Owl centre.



New Retail Developments:Retail Giant Next has unveiled plans to open a new store at the Quedgley District Centre. It will open the store on the site currently occupied by the Peak Fitness Centre, who are vacating the plot.

Gloucester Urban Regeneration Company
Their new and much enhanced website went live a few weeks ago. See www.gloucesterurc.co.uk/ for details.
 
#7 ·
Gloucester got a nice multi-page thread in the Worcestershire Life not long ago. I've always loved the docks its nice to see things are being done to re-invent them. There's a great little antiques place in one of them. Cant remember what its called.
 
#9 ·
It has today been announced that Gloucester Rugby Club are focussing on the redevelopment of Kingsholm, and are now not interested in land in the railway triangle. The council believes they may be able to promote the land as a Science and Innovation park instead (courtesy Gloucester Citizen)

A major study has been launched into Blackfriars, and the possibility of creating a Cultural Quarter for the city. The council is examining plans to vacate the Shire Hall complex and convert it to a cultural centre, including a new theatre. Alongside this, plans for a new 4* hotel are pivotal to the developments, to address the shortage of high quality hotel space in the city centre. Top-end apartments aimed at professionals as well as middle end apartments are included in the plans.
 
#10 ·
Former Contract Chemicals Site, Bristol Road

Plans were unveiled today for a multi-million pound regeneration of the former Contract Chemicals site located on Bristol Road (pretty much opposite Griggs). The site has become a real eyesore and a target of crime recently, however Commercial Estates group have announced plans to turn the site into a multi million pound mixed use development. It will comprise one hectare of employment use fronting Bristol Road itself. There are also plans for 340 new homes, public space and environmental improvments accross the site.

Elmbridge Court Offices (former Government Offices)

The offices off Elmbridge court have been sold Stoford office developers. They plan a £5.5 million refurbishment of the offices, and plan to rent between 1,000-20,000 sq ft, possibly as a headquaters for a larger company.

New Retail Openings:
The Sony Centre has moved to a new shop on Eastgate Street. The store is state of the art, and opened tuesday.
 
#11 ·
Latest News:

Gloucester Docks:

'Smile...' convenience stores has opened it's latest branch in the bottom of the Barge Arm apartment complex. Naylor Powell have been named as one of the other tenants, and are also due to open shortly. Vinings Indian Restaurant will also be opening imminently.

Plans have been drawn up to refurbish Pillar & Lucy Warehouse, to provide office space for Peel Developments, which will act as HQ for the Quays Development. Tenants who have premisis on the Monk Meadow have been given notice to quit the land in readiness for demolition and the first phase of contruction of the Quays Development.

Gloucester Antique Centre is considering a move into a speculative new building that Crest Nicholson have planned to replace Merchants Quay Shopping Centre. The centre is now 80% vancant, following many store relocations and closures, though no formal plans have been submitted as yet.

Hunt's Grove Eco Village
A new village of 1,750 homes have been given the greenlight on the outskirts of Gloucester City. The homes will be built just off Junction 12 of the M5 near Haresfield. The plans have been approved by Stroud District Council, though Gloucester City Council have raised objection due to it's proxmity to Kingsway.
 
#12 ·
£90 Million Regeneration Sceheme announced for Gloucester

Today saw the announcment of a major £90million scheme to regenerate Bakers Quay, Gloucester Docks. The land in question will be surrounded on all sides by the new Gloucester Outlet Shopping Centre, due to start construction any day. It will be right next to the new St Ann's way bridge.

The owners of the land have announced exciting plans to construct an inlet off the main canal, so the centre of the land is on the waterfront. There are three historic warehouses on the land, which will be converted into bars, restaurants, offices and apartments. In the centre of this and next to the new 'waterfront' will be a large new public open square.

Peel Holdings did attempt to purchase the land as part of the wider Goucester Quays, however the owners behind these plans refused to sell. They are keen to emphasise being Gloucester born and bred.


Plan for Gloucester's Bakers Quay.

Gloucester Rugby Club update:

Contruction of the new stand has begun this week. The new stand once complete will boost Gloucester's capacity up to 17,000 from 14,000 and include new players facilities and VIP boxes. The council has also approved new Rugby Union Standard floodlights for the ground to bring it in line with the rest in the country. Gloucester also hopes to be in bidding to host some Olympic events at the stadiumin 2012.





Vinings Restaurant open for business.

The £1/4million investment in a new indian restaurant in the base of Vinings warehouse opened this week, and has recieved very favourable reviews from the first few of its customers.
 
#14 ·
Latest news on Gloucester Parkway...

The government has today announced a major blow to the scheme, by saying they need more evidence from the train operators before they can allow the scheme to proceed. This puts a major delay on the project, as the government does not award the train operator licences until 2008. Gloucestershire County Council have complained about this, as they were previously told that this aspect of the bid was fine. The saga continues...

Meanwhile, work has continued on the New St Anns way bridge, with the banks now prepared for construction. The bridge is due to open in Spring 2008.



 
#15 ·
Gloscat Campus update

Gloscat's recent announcement that they are proud to say they are almost ready to take students to the new £30million Gloucester Docks Campus. The new campus features state of the art science labs, music department, IT departments, Hair and Beauty Dept, 'Construction Street' amongst many other facilities. The campus has built around the Llanthony Priory, which is now located in the centre of restored parkland. The canal quayside will also be reconstructed, giving the campus a real waterside feel. St Ann's Bridge is currently under construction alongside the campus

Gloucester Bypass

The final section of the bypass is COMPLETE! The new road is currently undergoing testing before being opened to the general public on May 25th. The £20million extension should ease the traffic down Bristol Road enormously, as well as provide a direct link to the city centre and the east of the city. On Bristol Road itself, Warners Citroen have announced they are re-letting their old showroom, following a surge in business. It will become a specialist sales office once open.
 
#16 ·
Latest News: Gloucester South-West Bypass

The bypass, as previously said will be opening on May 25th. Work is now complete, as well as construction of a junction at Netheridge in readiness for the new market to be held there. Here are some pictures..




Latest Retail openings:
Subway Sandwiches have increased their presence in Gloucester, with the opening of two new stores. The first is at London Road at the Texaco garage, and another has opened in Barge Arm, Gloucester Docks, as another tenant, alongwith Smile... newsagents and an estate agent also signed up.

Update on developments currently going through:
Fortis Insurance are moving to new state of the art offices on Gloucester Business Park in summer 2007. The 55,000sq ft office block will be the largest on the park, and is one of many developments at one of Arlington Security's most popular business developments in the UK. Another tenent, Esporta Health and Fitness has started construction of a flagship development. Along with this will see the construction of the Whittle Centre and blocks of 3-5 storey residential blocks.

Possible Future Developments:
Gloucester City Council have recieved an application for a significant development on the corner of Southgate Street and Trier Way (the Peel centre junction). There will be 57 apartments along with retail/office space on the ground floor of the development subject to approval. The land is currently a derelict stone building.
 
#17 ·
GLOUCESTER QUAYS TAKES OFF

Demolition work has now begun on the land will house the future Fashion Outlet Centre, Glocuester Quays. The High Orchard area is located behind Bakers Quay, between the Peel centre and Llanthony Road. Hoardings have been erected Merchants Road, High Orchard Streetand Church Road. Some of the rooves have been dismantled on the buildings as well. The site will house a 200,000sq ft fashion outlet centre containing over 100 retail units and 2000 space multi-storey car park, along with hotel and smaller retail/office units.



 
#18 ·
Flagahip Store set for Gloucester
Borders Books have announced they are keen to build a new store on the St Oswalds Park site, bringing the first Borders Books to Gloucestershire. The 11,000sq ft store would be at the front of the new retail park, and would be glass glazed on three sides. It would also contain a costa coffee store and study areas for students.

Gloucester planning commitee made an exception to the current rule that items sold at the park must be classed as bulky. Councillors felt that the need to have to store in the city outweighed exactly where it had to go. There was great risk the store could have been lost to Cheltenham had it been rejected.

Kingsholm Update
Construction has now begun on the new stand for Gloucester Rugby Club.




Gloucester Northern Bypass
The bypass is now fully open to traffic following its official opening on May 25th.
 
#19 ·
King's Quarter Plans unveiled
Plans have been unveiled for the £80million regeneration and redevelopment of King's Square, King's Walk Shopping centre and Gloucester Bus Station.

The new area, called King's Quarter will include an oval style pavillion building, containing new retail units. There will also be 257 residential units and a 500-space car park. The scheme has the potential to generate 1000 jobs. Developers Urban Initiative and Gloucester Urban Regeneration Company are saying it will make Gloucester a retail haven.

The pavillion is the key element of the plan, being oval shaped and plated mostly in glass, it will be several stories high. Two floor retail and restaurant units will take the first couple of floors.

The Bus Station would be redeveloped to make it lighter and more inviting. Restuarants and Cafes would be encouraged at this end of the development. There is also the potential for Debenhams to relocate, and this building to be refurbished, providing high quality office and retail space in the centre of the city.

Detailed plans are expected to be submitted at the end of the year, with work proposed on site in mid 2009.

Gloucestershire College Completed!
The new Gloucestershire College (formerly GLOSCAT) campus in Gloucester Docks is now complete. Coming in at a cost of £32 million, the staff and students move into the new complex on June 22nd, with Bovis Lendlease having handed over the keys 2weeks early.

Retail News
In a shock move, Next have decided to close their Gloucester City Centre store on Northgate Street. The company denied it planned the closure, saying that it was due to a contractual issue with the site's landlord. The company are said to be looking for new city centre units. Next has started construction of its new retail unit at Quedgley District Centre, with opening due in Nov 2007.
Mothercare have opened one of their newest and most modern stores at St Oswalds Retail Park, alongside B&Q, Comet, SCS, Argos, JJB, Frankie &Bennies and Brewers Fayre. The existing units are now fully occupied, with more smaller units expected soon. This is the site Borders are believed to be interested in.
 
#20 ·
Breakdown of current Gloucester Projects

This is a summary of projects completed, underway or proposed in Gloucester City at the moment.

Completed
Gloucester Northern Bypass--£40million
Gloucestershire College (GLOSCAT)--£32million
St Oswalds Phase I -- £100million
Crest Nicolson Docks conversion--£?million
Barge Arm--£?million

Underway
Gloucester Quays--£200million
St Ann's Link Road--£0.5million
Gloucester Rugby Club expansion--£?million
Kingsway housing--£?million

Proposed
Bakers Quay development--£90million
King's Quarter development--£80million
Blackfriars --£??million
Greyfriars--£??million
Gloucester Parkway Station £35million
 
#21 ·
Greyfriars Update
Edward Ware homes have been chosen as the 'preferred builder' for the greyfriars site, off Brunswick Road. The site is currently occupied by Gloscat, and soon both the main site and the media centre are to be vacated as it moves to the new GLoucester Docks Campus. The 9-storey building will be demolioshed and up to 400 new homes arranged over buildings up to 5-stories. There will also be shops, squares and public open spaces. A great focus into being eco-friendly is also a key part of the development. A large portion of the sales will have to be to people on low-income and first time buyers.

A detailed planning application is expected later this year.

See http://www.gloucesterurc.co.uk/pr.asp for a couple of links to renders.
 
#22 ·
Latest Retail News
High fashion giant Animal have announced plans to open a store in the city. They are taking the unit currently occupied by Profile in Kings Walk, however Profile are going to relocate so there will be no loss of a shop. Animal are a high end sports retailer who already have a store in Cheltenham. The shop will be opening on Aug 2nd.
Next are believed to be sticking by their commitment to the city and are looking for alternative premesis after the were forced out of the current site on Northgate Street.
 
#24 ·
Heya Schmeek, welcome!

Yea gloucester is really coming leaps and bounds!

Gloucester Quays development is continuing with demolishion of the old industrial buildings off llanthony road. Orange hoardings have been put up around the areas where this is happening, in readiness for the new designer outlet centre.

Latest retail news:
Sports Direct.com (formerlly Sports Soccer) have opened their new store on Northgate street opposite marks and spencer. The 3 storey shop is the biggest sports store in th city centre. This frees up the former store in The Mall, which is now Original Shoe Inc.
BB's Muffins and Ice Cream have taken a large unit by the entrance to the Mall on Southgate Street.
Rosebys in The Mall are moving to Th Peel centre, though the new tenant for this unit is not yet known.
Pilot, a womens fashion store have opened a branch on Northgate Street, near the cross.

In gloucester docks, redevelopment of Merchants Quay is due to begin later this year, with all the retiail stores now empty. The final work around Barge Arm is taking place, with new lighting and paving being installed, to give the area a nicer finish.
 
#25 ·
Unfortunatly music retailer Fopp recently opened in King's Walk has gone into administration,and many of its stores have closed. It is hoped a buyer can be found for them soon, as its Gloucester store was always very busy.

Redevelopment of Gloucester Rugby Club continues, with steelwork for the new stand postively flying up. It is hoped the stand will be ready for the new 2007/08 season.




Flooding has caused massive disruption to the City of Gloucester recently. The deluge was that severe that parts of the new bypass were overwealmed briefly. Our thoughts are with those who have suffered damage in the severe weather.
 
#26 ·
Exciting news regarding the old Kwik Save site, situated on Worcester Street/Black Dog Way/Northgate street:

Plans have been submmitted for 98 apartments spread over a mixed 4/5 storey building, to totally replace the monstrocity that is there at the moment. The ground floor will contain units for offices, food/drink or retail. The asscoiated car parking will be in a courtyard contained within the complex and accessed from Worcester Street most likely. See some renders on the Gloucester Council planning website http://www.glcstrplnng11.co.uk/AWMWeb/viewDoc.aspx

Gloucester Kingsway has also seen a massive boost in its ambitious plans, with the council approving another 650 homes for the new town. By the end of the decade, the site will have more than 3300 homes, schools, a retail park, public open space, a church and many more facilities. The approval came after the council withdrew plans for a freight rail terminal off the A38, hence freeing up 9acres for development.
 
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