GLOUCESTER | Full Summary of Projects

[pharmj]

Some sad news for GLoucester today as it turns out over the weekend the Next store in Quedgley, only opened last year has burnt down. The store caught fire over the weekend, and was only fully put out yesterday. The whole first floor and half the stock was destroyed, and the fire brigade have said that a lot of the roof is unsafe. It is thought that the store did not have a sprinkler system installed. The other nearby stores, Brantano and Matalan were closed yesterday and today, but are expected open tommorrow. Brantano sufferered some minor smoke damage.

[gntzpope]

At last some names are being revealed!!

Peel have re-submitted a planning application for the restaurant quarter building to include the upper floor for use with many having a balcony overlooking the canal.

Pizza Express, Cafe Rouge and Nando's are mentioned as they have appointed lawyers to complete tennancy agreements.

Also, it states the client is in advanced negotiations with other operators.

The Gloucester Quays website has been down the last couple of days, perphaps were in for a major update!!??!? Anyone?

Watch this space!

[pharmj]

Thats fantastic news! These are the type of tenants that this project really needs in order to get it off the ground. Im really looking forward to some more announcments on this. I noticed the quays site was down as well..maybe a big update is on the horizon!

[Aunt I C ipation]

Friend of mine works at the city council in planning. The submission of the scheme for Kings square has taken a slating from many members and the leader of the council has taken e-mails from the relevant concerned parties as they feel the "willow" inter-twining around Kings square looks tatty and that it would not be very long before it may be ripped apart during the hours you and I are asleep at the weekend.

Unbelievably the council have taken on board the comments made by city council employees (and others) and may get the company in charge of building this project to tweek some of the original brief so that it is not as poor as what many, and I included, people think it is.

On a brighter note it is good that many areas of the city are being taken care of but as Parmjit said the Kings Square develpoment needs the majority of the Clarence Street facing buildings ripped in 2 as they are a nasty sight to look at; as for the taxi rank/bus station area, I'll only go there if I need to buy a coach ticket!!

On a note of Gloucester City FC, again the planning department just after the floods last year and when people found out the club was no longer playing in Hempsted, ask planners to take a birds eye view of the ground and place in certain parts of the city where it could possibly fit then worry about the reprocussions afterwards. At that stage it really was a tongue in cheek idea..................but my concern is why was the Tuffley Rovers FC idea was dismissed staright away when Peel, who own a proportion of the adjoining land, were back then happy to talk about a ground share and community stadium.

[vinnienet]

Originally Posted by Aunt I C ipation

On a note of Gloucester City FC, again the planning department just after the floods last year and when people found out the club was no longer playing in Hempsted, ask planners to take a birds eye view of the ground and place in certain parts of the city where it could possibly fit then worry about the reprocussions afterwards. At that stage it really was a tongue in cheek idea..................but my concern is why was the Tuffley Rovers FC idea was dismissed staright away when Peel, who own a proportion of the adjoining land, were back then happy to talk about a ground share and community stadium.

I always thought all of that land down there was owned by British Gas?

This red tape is frustrating. I reckon we could knock up a decent standard ground (for the short term) in a matter of months if only to get the club back into Gloucester.

Failing that we should be able to fill in the current Meadow Park site and rebuild on there.

[pharmj]

Some more excellent news for the City of Gloucester!

Major employer commits its future to Gloucester

A MULTI-MILLION pound investment which will keep one of Gloucester's biggest employers in the city for years to come has been announced.
Ecclesiastical Insurance, which employs 650 staff at its Brunswick Road offices, said it plans to move the business lock stock and barrel into new, purpose-built offices at Southgate Moorings at Gloucester Docks.
The move to the site, which is currently a car park by Southgate Street, is being hailed as a show of the company's commitment to Gloucester and an expression of business confidence in the city's redevelopment.

Michael Tripp, Ecclesiastical's group chief executive, said: "Gloucester's future relies upon businesses having faith in the city and investing their futures in it. We're proud of our roots in Gloucester and we plan to strengthen them even further with this move. We're delighted to be part of Gloucester's future. It is a positive place to be at the moment.
"We made the decision to move to the Docks following an extensive consultation with our staff. They voted in favour of an inner-city location. The docks development provides modern premises, good transport links and a unique environment. Although our building will be brand new we plan to build it in a sustainable way and incorporate environmentally conscious designs."

Mr Tripp confirmed the role of the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company in the decision to commit to the Docks site.
"The GHURC has played a crucial role in getting to this stage. It have helped us forge strong links with everyone who has interest in this move. It has helped balance the commercial interest of a project like this with the interests of the City and ambitions to make a really outstanding development."
The move comes as the £200 million Quays Development in Gloucester is already well underway bringing a hotel, supermarket and retail outlets to the waterfront.

Greg Smith, chairman of the GHURC, tasked with driving the £1billion regeneration of the city, said it was great for the city.
"The commitment of a top flight company and major city employer to Gloucester's regeneration was a massive boost for the city," he said.
"Ecclesiastical shares our high aspiration to develop a stunning contemporary new building high in architectural merit which sits well within its historic surroundings."

Chris Foley, head of regeneration for Gloucester for the South West Regional Development Agency, said it was great news for Gloucester's economy that a major employer has committed to staying in the city. "We have worked hard to make this site the right one for Ecclesiastical, and we all aspire to deliver a building of the highest design and environmental standards. This move will enable Ecclesiastical to continue to grow their business and drive up productivity," he said.

Construction is expected to start in the summer of 2009 with a move into the new building in 2011. A competition has been launched to find an architect with a winner expected to be announced at the end of September.
Ecclesiastical opened its head office in Gloucester in 1976. The insurer employs 900 people in the UK and also has offices in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

[pharmj]

Gloucester Quays update:

Construction work on the £400million Quays project is continuing apace. The outlet centre 'gull-winged roof' has now been assembled and is in place, ready for the glazing to go in. The main body of concrete construction has now been finished, and some of the final finishes are being put on the car park entrance portions.

The restaurant and bar quarter steelwork is now in place (see below) and construction of the floors and walls is underway. This is anticipated to open spring next year along with the outlet centre.

Progress on the bar/restuarant quarter and the render for what it will look like.

Construction has now been underway for just over one year.
The St Ann way bridge is now complete and due to open imminently. The tow path running beneath the bridge linking to Monk Meadow and Hempsted has now reopened.

[pharmj]

Here is another article relating to the regeneration of Nottingham:

Significant regeneration in Gloucester is now remaking a great English city. Inevitably this brings considerable new development to complement Gloucester's international quality historic buildings.

Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company - the company tasked with delivering £1 billion of private sector development investment over 10 years - has taken the unusual step of setting up a Design Review Panel to ensure that the new buildings, public spaces and public art are of the best quality.

Set up by GHURC chief executive, Chris Oldershaw, who ran a similar city-wide Design Panel for regeneration in Newcastle, the Panel reviews the most significant regeneration schemes, advising developers and city planners how to make the good better and the best exemplary.

As well as helping to raise design aspirations in Gloucester, the Panel encourages the City to be outward looking and learn from international best practice.

It uniquely combines the best of local expertise and understanding with some of the best design expertise the region has to offer.

As well as sharing experts with the South West Regional Design Panel, the Gloucester Panel has a more diverse representation; this includes representatives from the Civic Trust and Industrial Archaeology Society, as well as English Heritage and Public Art South West.

While the recently formed Panel had limited involvement in existing construction projects, such as the Gloucester Quays Retail Outlet Centre, it has already been of great benefit to other programmed schemes.

Look out for impressive residential, commercial and public realm projects, such as: Merchants Quay in the Docks; the re-landscaping of Kings Square - following a design competition recently won by Niall McLaughlin Architects with Churchman Landscape Architects - and further public realm and public art at the Docks.

Other major projects include a new four-star hotel beside the listed Llanthony Priory.

Clearly design has a lot to do with positively responding to the best in the surrounding environment, yet much of Gloucester's built heritage had been obscured by past design disasters.

These have had a lasting affect on the environment and perhaps somewhat tainted the perception of Gloucester in those parts of the Cotswolds surrounding the city and further afield.

The mood and aspiration of a city can be altered significantly by the built environment that makes it up.

I believe that the Design Review Panel can help deliver good quality design in Gloucester, and this will help improve the environment for people who live and work in Gloucester, and benefit the economy by making the City more attractive for visitors and tourists.

Gloucester has featured in a 4-page article and advert in Vogue celebrating the development in Gloucester Quays. It has caused much debate on the Citizen website about the whole Gloucester vs. Cheltenham ...ridiculous

[gntzpope]

Pharmj/Anyone,

If you look at the leasing plan layout for the outlet centre it includes some 123 units available for leasing (over 100 outlets plus the rest as restaurant/café/bar uses) but my question is that the building identified as 'R' adjacent south of the Pillar and Lucy warehouse. Is this being developed by Peel/BW as part of the outlet or not? I know there is building named Numold too but again, is that a different building next to the crying out for re-development Bishops warehouses!!?

I know the Bishops (warehouses right of the new bridge, approaching from St. Ann’s Way) recently announced they were mothballing there idea for the development for 2 years, very disappointing indeed! With all the Peel investment surrounding the site, it really bugs me that this is right in the heart of this development and will look horrendous!! When the new bridge finally opens this autumn, this eyesore of a site will greet everyone as you approach over the new bridge from the south west by-pass on your left.
This area has to re-developed soon, grrrrrrr!! I believe the GHURC has expressed there disappointment too and are currently clarifying the options available to go forward. Perhaps even a compulsory purchase order! This would allow then to fully open up the waterfront for pedestrian use to its maximum potential, this effectively could stretch from the newly redeveloped Cineworld cinema with its waterfront restaurants and bars (due for completion next summer), under the new landmark bridge, along Bakers Quay, alongside the designer outlets and restaurants/bars/cafes quarter and then on into main docks basin. Thoughts anyone?

Like you/everyone, really looking forward to tenants names being revealed. Names so far are Sainsburys, Marks and Spencer, Travelodge, Café Rouge, Pizza Express, Nandos, Cadburys, Thorntons, Ramada Encore & Starbucks. Look forward to the rest being revealed!!

[pharmj]

I agree, this is really typical of Gloucester, that people cannot get themselves coordinated enough to do the whole thing properly. We almost had a continuous waterfront walk between the city and the cinema...almost. From what I could make out from the GHURC minutes, there was absolutely no surprise that the Bishops have done this, it seems they are known for being difficult. I think they are being greedy and waiting for the market so they can make more money IMO.

Hopefully they can put hoardings up around and over the site to distract a little bit. Is the new bridge open yet? That seems to be running a little late now, as does Sainsburys. I cant see how they will be open for Spring next year, its already pretty late in the day to start building.

I hope we get some more retailers announced soon, they must have quite a few signed up now. I guess with the credit crunch maybe they dont want to hedge their bets. We have already seen Persimmon halt work on all projects (including 3 sites in gloucester). I must admit, the site at the cattle market is horrible, the flats look cheap and nasty!

Apart from Gloucester Quays...does anyone have any updates? Did anyone get to the exhibition of the new plans for the railway triangle?

[gntzpope]

Looks like the planned 4 * hotel for Llanthony Wharf is increasing in height and number of bedrooms from 80 to 120. Hopefully the operator will be announced shortly!

UPDATE 25TH SEP 2008

RAMADA ENCORE HOTEL!

Gloucester Quays (Opening Q3 09)

The hotel has canal frontage and is located close to the designer outlet village, college and a short walk from the city centre via a newly constructed access bridge. The hotel will have 120 guestrooms, Hub restaurant, coffee shop and bar, meeting facilities, leisure club and ample parking.

Ramcore Hotels was established to roll out the exciting new Ramada Encore mid market hotel brand across the UK. The company has embarked upon one of the most ambitious hotel development programmes in Europe today.

The company aims to build a new generation of quality mid market hotels between 80 and 150 rooms serving both the commercial and leisure markets. In major commercial centres and adjacent to transport hubs where there is proven high demand, hotels of 200 guest rooms and over will be considered.

Our intention is not to develop isolated hotels projects but to focus on building a new UK wide brand creating an investment portfolio which will be valued at around £300 million.

[pharmj]

That is excellent news! We need a really decent sized hotel after the loss of the hotel on Southgate street in the city centre. This should provide a good base for visitors to the city including the new Quays complex.

[kevster]

not earth shattering i know but given the economic climate ! a bit of good news.


http://www.propertyweek.com/story.as...de=3122683&c=1[/U]

[pharmj]

A Four star hotel planned for Gloucester Docks will have more than 100 rooms if approved. Developers behind the hotel originally wanted to build an 84-room hotel.

But now Ramada Encore says it is so keen on the Gloucester site it is now seeking approval for a 120-room hotel.
The site is next to the historic Llanthony Secunda Priory and is part of the massive development of the Gloucester Quays.
Gloucester Quays LLP director Grenville Bird said: “The operator thinks Gloucester is an excellent location for their hotel, which is why they want to expand.
“The expansion would only see the height of the hotel increase by 60cm. Because it’s a sensitive site, we’ve had lots of interested parties asking questions.
“The architects have had meetings with the GHURC, city council planning department and English Heritage.
“We’re seeking to take everybody’s comments and views on board.”
Gloucester City Council leader Paul James said: “We do have a lack of hotels in Gloucester but we do recognise that it is going to be built in a sensitive location so it will need approval.”
Gloucester Quays has made an official application for planning permission for the increase in capacity.
A city council spokesman said: “The details of the planning application have not yet been published.
“Once published, members of the public will have 21 days to submit their comments.
“The city council then has eight weeks to get it through the process and make a decision.
“We are hoping a decision will be made before the end of the year.”

Gloucester Citizen 2/10/08

This is some really good news, and hopefully with it being a minor amendment, shouldnt take too long to go through planning. This is in the next phase following on from the supermarket and shopping centre anyway, so wouldnt expect to see work much before april/may next year id have thought

[sikejsudjek]

There must be grounds for a CPO for the Bishops site. This cannot be left as it is for two years !

[pharmj]

Some more good news for the City of Gloucester:

PLANS to turn a Gloucester eyesore into a new shopping complex have been welcomed by people living close by.
An application by New Star Asset Management to transform the former B&Q site in Trier Way will be discussed by city planners tomorrow.
In March, Gloucester City Council's planning committee refused New Star's proposals to redevelop the rundown former hardware store, which has been vacant since September 2005.

But now, New Star has resubmitted the scheme, which would see it demolish the former store and replace it with a new retail development of 7,114 square metres.
The move has been welcomed by Councillor Usman Bhaimia (Lib Dem, Barton and Tredworth), a member of the Barton and Tredworth Residents' Association.

He said: "The site is an eyesore. I want Barton to get rid of its bad reputation.
"I want the shopping centre to come to my area - it will bring in quality businesses and make it a quality area.
"At the moment, people are scared to go to Barton after 8pm.
"It has been vacant too long and there are problems with drugs and prostitution in that area.
"The shopping centre would enable people to feel safe and secure."
Councillor Harjit Gill (Lab, Barton and Tredworth), said: "People are always asking me what is happening with the B&Q site.
"Anything positive for the area is welcome by me."
And Yakub Pandor, Barton's Conservative councillor, said: "It will bring business into Barton and Tredworth.
"There would be a nice new building and plenty of parking."
The proposed development - a nine metre-high L-shaped building - would consist of six retail units.

Big stores tipped to move in include Next and TK Maxx. There have been calls for Next to return to the city centre since the Next store in Quedgeley was completely destroyed by fire on August 24.
The scheme could create 100 jobs and will go before the city's planning committee tomorrow.

However, the application has been recommended for refusal by planning officer Joann Meneaud, who claims it could threaten regeneration by luring shoppers out of the city centre.
In her report she said: "The scheme would be harmful to the city centre by putting at risk the planning strategy for the city centre, both for the bus station/King's Square and other longer-term sites."

Citizen 6/10/08

Fingers crossed this is approved, as the site is just terrible at present.

[DanP]

Anyone know the outcome?

[gntzpope]

From the local Citizen:

PLANS to turn a city centre eyesore into a shopping centre face an uncertain future.
The application by New Star Asset Management to transform the former B&Q site in Trier Way was discussed by Gloucester City Council's planning committee on Tuesday.
In March the committee voted to refuse the proposal by New Star to redevelop the rundown former hardware store and replace it with a 7,114 sq metre shopping development.
However, the decision was not issued because the application fell within the flood zone following changes introduced by the Environment Agency.
New Star later appealed on the grounds of non-determination and on Tuesday councillors agreed to fight the appeal.
The developer wants to build six retail units on the site, which could include big names such Next and TK Maxx, as well as public green space, a creche and car park.
But members of the planning committee say the project could threaten regeneration by luring shoppers away from existing sites, including King's Walk.
They also believe the design is unsuitable.
Coun Andy Lewis (C. Quedgeley Severn Vale) said: "We all know something has to be done with this site. But we can't put this through without a flood risk assessment. It is far from the city centre and not in the right location. I think we should refuse it."
Coun Mary Smith (L. Matson and Robinswood) said: "I understand it is not a popular decision because people want to see something done with this site. But no one will thank us if we don't have a proper flood risk assessment.
"I know people would like to see shops in that site but if it means we lose shops out of the city centre, people won't walk to the town."
Coun Jeremy Hilton (LD. Kingsholm and Wotton) said: "We should reject the application and fight the appeal."
The appeal will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.

[davejack82]

from BBC website,


'An opening date for a new canal bridge is due to be announced on Friday.

The 12.5m, (41.1ft) 250-tonne St Ann Way Bridge over the Gloucester Sharpness Canal was supposed to open last spring.

But the project stumbled over the question of who was responsible for building the approach roads even though construction was completed in January.

It is seen to be a key element of the city's regeneration, giving easy access to the new Quays development.'

[pharmj]

That retail led scheme being rejected is a real pain the neck, as the site really is awful. I think we need a good quality mixed use scheme on there, maybe a hotel with apartments. The hotel would easily serve the leisure centre, barton, tredworth and any events being hosted in the park. We need to tart up Eastgate street as it looks run down during the day. Encourage more development along there and upgrade the general nature of the street.

Sainsburys have now started work on their new store at Gloucester Quays, and some of the cladding on the designer outlet centre is going on as well. Things are looking really rather good on that side of town.

We really need to see the Bishops site developed or the land legally taken from them, as that will become prime land that really needs to be included in Quays wider development or its going to look odd.

Any other news..?