en.Wedoany.com Reported - Wring Group has started demolition works on a £162m development project in Bristol. Located next to Ashton Gate Stadium, home of Bristol City, the scheme's centrepiece is a sports and conference centre, alongside residential units, a hotel, office space and more. The first phase of demolition is now underway on the 3.6-hectare site near the stadium.
The local contractor is demolishing a hangar on the site, marking the first major step in the long-awaited plans. Bristol Sport, the rugby, basketball and football group, secured planning permission for the mixed-use development in 2022. Following approval, the project faced a legal challenge described as "extremely frustrating," which was resolved two years later, with demolition only recently beginning on site.
Ashton Gate Stadium described the demolition as a "significant milestone" on its website, noting that after clearing materials from the existing buildings, careful demolition of the former Nationwide Platforms hangar has begun, marking the first visible phase of the site's transformation. Demolition and clearance will continue over the coming months, with the project team stating that sustainability will be a key priority.
More than 85% of demolition materials are expected to be recycled and reused, contributing to the project's target of achieving a BREEAM "Excellent" rating. The demolition is being carried out under the supervision of a licensed ecologist, who will continuously monitor the site for nesting birds, bats and other protected wildlife.
Martin Griffiths, chair of the Ashton Gate Sporting Quarter, expressed his delight at the start of demolition. He said many of the staff and consultants involved in the project are local, meaning that even before formal construction begins, the scheme is already bringing investment and job opportunities to the local economy.
Once the site is cleared, a new 3,626-capacity sports arena will be built, serving as the home of the Bristol Flyers and doubling as a conference centre. The planning permission also includes 125 residential units, a 232-bedroom hotel, over 2,500 square metres of office space, a club shop, concession stands, a museum, a gym, a 536-space multi-storey car park, cycle parking and public realm improvements.
The maximum building height on the site is 46 metres, with up to 14 storeys. The design also includes a new north-south pedestrian route leading to open public space and a fan zone.
In 2022, Martin Griffiths said the project would have a hugely positive impact on the city, with the sporting quarter acting as a catalyst for the expansion and regeneration of south-west Bristol, boosting local employment and the local supply chain. He also noted that with the sports and conference centre complemented by the hotel, Bristol would be able to attract conferences and events that traditionally gravitate towards cities such as Birmingham and Cardiff.
