Green Infrastructure Action Plan

BID Lead

Our Green Infrastructure Action Plan (GIAP) outlines our approach to improving the city’s outdoor environment.

Project Type
IMPROVING SUSTAINABILITY & THE ENVIRONMENT
Date
May 2022 - Present

VISION

Our Vision is for Redcliffe & Temple to be a thriving community and commercial neighbourhood.  As part of this vision we want to see Redcliffe & Temple become a leader in sustainability and resilience to our changing climate through the addition of Green Infrastructure and spaces for people to enjoy.

Our Action Plan outlines the steps we need to take to add Green Infrastructure, support and develop improvements to our streets and spaces, and become known as an area known for being a clean, safe, healthy, attractive place to live, work, and visit.

Our plan outlines actions to be taken by the BID from 2024 to 2026; there will be an annual review with stakeholders to gain feedback on new ideas and to keep people informed.

WHY?

Our work will support our wider Sustainability Commitment, which identifies six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that will guide our work in reducing the area’s environmental impact. The Green Infrastructure Action Plan provides particular support to goals three, eleven and thirteen; Good Health and Wellbeing, Climate Action and Sustainable Cities and Communities.

The benefits of green infrastructure are well documented, and it has a long-lasting positive impact socially, economically, and environmentally locally and nationally.  For example, from flood mitigation and improving water quality (sustainable urban drainage), increasing productivity and retail profitability (trees and green spaces close to commercial and retail units) to a reduction in energy consumption (tree shade reduces air and building temperature).

 

Our actions will also support the Council’s green infrastructure strategy, WECA’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy, and Bristol’s One City Goals, especially the following three One City Goals:

  • 2026 – 2027: ‘Bristol’s physical, natural and social infrastructure protects high-density areas and the vulnerable from the impact of extreme weather events’.
  • 2028- 2029: ‘There has been a sustained increase in public engagement with biodiversity, with 20% of people taking action for wildlife
  • 2030- 2031: ‘Bristol is a Carbon Neutral and Climate Resilient City in accordance with the Climate Change strategy’.

 

Our consultation and engagement results demonstrate the desire of local stakeholders, businesses, and their staff to act on Green Infrastructure.  Both formally and informally, feedback has consistently asked the BID as a key priority action to add more planting and trees, lighting, public art and places for people to sit and enjoy.  We are confident that in completing and continually reviewing the actions identified in our Action Plan, Redcliffe & Temple will develop into a more enjoyable and healthier place to spend time, supporting businesses to attract staff and customers and creating a stronger neighbourhood.

Please support the actions below by contacting your local councillor to express your support, encouraging your business to support or volunteering in your local green space.

3.0 Communications and Events

2026

BID Area

Develop an annual series of public art event working with a public art curator with residents and businesses e.g. Winter Wonderland and murals.

Task

Event

More Information

Work to Date

Two murals installed April 2024, ongoing work to develop other art installations

Visual Aids Example

User reviews and feedback section

Interactive Elements

Event calendar with milestones and community forum

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders

3.0 Communications and Events

2026

BID Area

Continue to work with the Public Toilets Forum and other stakeholders to seek opportunities for accessible toilets and to support the re-opening of public toilets.

Task

Communication

More Information

Work to Date

Ongoing work to engage BCC and others regarding public toilets

Visual Aids Example

User reviews and feedback section

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

3.0 Communications and Events

2026

BID Area

Continue to support the development of car free streets and spaces, both temporary and permanent.

Task

Communication

More Information

Work to Date

Ongoing search for appropriate locations

Visual Aids Example

Infographics: Success stories and environmental benefits

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Bristol City Council

3.0 Communications and Events

2025

BID Area

Link to policy, Green Infrastructure stories from residents, workers and businesses focusing on benefits for economy, climate, health and wildlife.

Task

Communication

More Information

Work to Date

Ongoing work to develop communication methods

Visual Aids Example

Infographics: Success stories and environmental benefits

Interactive Elements

Multi media

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

3.0 Communications and Events

2025

BID Area

Support Bristol National Park City proposal with local community groups.

Task

Communication

More Information

Work to Date

Initial meetings due as part of role in Bristol Urban Greening group

Visual Aids Example

Social media, blogs and press

Interactive Elements

Multi media

Partnerships

Bristol Urban Greening group

3.0 Communications and Events

2025

BID Area

Sponsor Festival of Nature for 2025 and 2026, acting as a key partner to engage businesses partnership opportunities in the festival.

Task

Event

More Information

Work to Date

Currently reviewing the success of Festival 2024

Visual Aids Example

Promotional videos and past event highlights

Interactive Elements

Volunteer and Event Sign-Up Forms

Partnerships

Natural History Consortium

3.0 Communications and Events

2024

BID Area

Apply to Britain in Bloom 2025 and use this as a catalyst to bring together stakeholders in the city centre to improve the quantity and quality of greenery and planting.

Task

Event

More Information

Work to Date

Intial meetings sought - Summer 2024

Visual Aids Example

Promotional videos and collaboration highlights

Interactive Elements

Event calendar with milestones and community forum

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council, Natural History Consortium, Bristol Climate and Nature Partnership

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2026

BID Area

Support BCC to create a Bristol Kerbside Strategy.

Task

Partnership

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Case studies

Interactive Elements

Interactive Documents with Comment Sections

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2026

BID Area

Support BCC to develop a Public Space Charter of Land Access and Usage, to ensure public spaces are safe, accessible, attractive, and inclusive.

Task

Partnership

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Case studies

Interactive Elements

Interactive Documents with Comment Sections

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2026

BID Area

Support BCC to develop a public art strategy and polcy for the area.

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Case studies

Interactive Elements

Interactive Documents with Comment Sections

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2026

Temple Quarter

Support BCC to create a Meanwhile Use policy, this will be particularly important to inform plans for Temple Quarter.

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Case studies

Interactive Elements

Interactive Documents with Comment Sections

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2026

Temple Gardens

Enhance Temple Gardens, improving access, adding children’s play and making it a more attractive space to enjoy.

Task

Public space

More Information

Work to Date

Concept document produced by English Heritage

Visual Aids Example

Renderings and design plans

Interactive Elements

Virtual tour of planned improvements

Partnerships

Bristol City Council and English Heritage

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2026

Temple Quay

Ensure there is addition seating, planting and public realm improvements to the areas surrounding Temple Quay, in line with the new Temple Quay Design Code (see above).

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Initial meetings sought - Summer 2024

Visual Aids Example

Conceptual images and video walkthroughs

Interactive Elements

Progress tracker and interactive design elements

Partnerships

Network Rail, Temple Quarter, Temple Quay and other stakeholders

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2025

Redcliffe Way and Redcliff Street

Support BCC to develop transport and public realm proposals for these two key city centre locations.

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Visual of timeline

Interactive Elements

Interactive timeline and progress tracker

Partnerships

Bristol City Council

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2024

Victoria Street

Review plans to ensure that planting and public realm elements of the re-design of Victoria Street are delivered to a high standard.

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Visual of timeline

Interactive Elements

Interactive timeline and progress tracker

Partnerships

Bristol City Council

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2024

Castle Park

Collaborate to shape the masterplan for Castle Park, encourage a phasing of improvements within the park.

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Infographics

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Bristol City Council

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2024

BID Area

Support BCC in developing a Green Infrastructure Strategy for Bristol, working in tandem with the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy.

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Awaiting proposals from BCC

Visual Aids Example

Infographics and strategy highlights

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

2.0 Planning, Influence and Partnerships

2024

Temple Quay

Create a Design Code for improvements to the public realm in Temple Quay.

Task

Influence

More Information

Work to Date

Example documents being collated, meeting sought for Summer 2024

Visual Aids Example

Infographics explaining the design code

Interactive Elements

Interactive Documents with Comment Sections

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

1.0 Physical Changes

2026

BID Area

Continue to seek additional locations for green walls and small pocket parks and locations for improvements.

Task

Urban Greening

More Information

Work to Date

Green Wall installed on Redcliff Street

Visual Aids Example

Case studies: successful green walls and parks

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Landowners and Stakeholders, with Bristol City Council

1.0 Physical Changes

2026

Redcliff Street, Avon Street, Temple Street and Redcliffe Way

Tree Planting and Sustainable Drainage: Use BID and wider funding, for example via Wessex Water to plant trees and add sustainable drainage, in line with a Bristol Kerbside Strategy (yet to be developed).

Task

Urban Greening

More Information

Work to Date

Ongoing search for appropriate locations

Visual Aids Example

Renderings of designs

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Bristol City Council and Wessex Water

1.0 Physical Changes

2025

Quaker Burial Ground

Work to create a peaceful space for all to enjoy at Quaker Burial Ground.

Task

Public space

More Information

Work to Date

Ongoing meetings with UWE and NHS Mental Health team

Visual Aids Example

Renderings of designs

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

UWE, NHS and Bristol City Council

1.0 Physical Changes

2025

Floating Harbour

Partner with Bristol City Council to add biodiversity and habitat for nature to the floating harbour e.g. floating reed beds.

Task

Urban Greening

More Information

Work to Date

Initial conversations with Avon Rivers Trust

Visual Aids Example

Renderings of designs

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Avon Rivers Trust and Bristol City Council

1.0 Physical Changes

2025

Temple Quay

Build upon our summer furniture project to install new permanent seating at Temple Quay, in line with the Temple Quay Design Code.

Task

Public space

More Information

Work to Date

Summer furniture installed 2023 and 2024, feedback to be gained during Summer 2024

Visual Aids Example

Renderings of designs

Interactive Elements

Interactive Documents with Comment Sections

Partnerships

Bristol City Council

1.0 Physical Changes

2025

Portwall Gardens

Work with Bristol City Council to deliver improvements to Portwall Gardens including a new entrance and seating.

Task

Public space

More Information

Work to Date

Community Infrastructure Funding of £15k awarded to the project in February 2024

Visual Aids Example

Photo Galleries and Before-and-After Sliders

Interactive Elements

Interactive timeline and progress tracker

Partnerships

Bristol City Council

1.0 Physical Changes

2024

BID Area

Develop a range of volunteering opportunities and activities including litter picking, bulb planting and cutting back.

Task

Urban Greening

More Information

Work to Date

Wildflower Meadow install and bulb planting sessions delivered

Visual Aids Example

Embedded Videos

Interactive Elements

Volunteer and Event Sign-Up Forms

Partnerships

Bristol City Council

1.0 Physical Changes

2024

Avon Street

Work with Legal and General to improve planting in the empty beds on Avon Street.

Task

Urban Greening

More Information

Work to Date

Intial meetings held

Visual Aids Example

Photo Galleries and Before-and-After Sliders

Interactive Elements

Interactive map

Partnerships

Legal and General

HOW HAS THE PLAN BEEN DEVELOPED AND WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

Our Green Infrastructure Action Plan outlines our approach to improving the city’s outdoor environment.  It provides details of a range of exciting short-, medium-, and long-term projects to help create quality green spaces and improve sustainability in the city over the next three years and beyond.

We have worked with Sarah Jones-Morris of Landsmith Associates to fully analyse the area of Redcliffe and Temple and its current green infrastructure, facilitate stakeholder engagement, establish decision-making processes, and help define future projects.

Engagement to date has included 10 walks, three online workshops and one review workshop.  Over 50 people have participated in our engagement sessions, demonstrating their level of interest.

We will continue to engage and grow partnerships with Bristol City Council, West of England Combined Authority, stakeholders such as Wessex Water, private landowners and other local stakeholders to deliver our ideas and actions.  The BID has become an influential organisation and voice for the district.  However, we do not own or manage land or property; we are developing and implementing practical proposals in partnership with public and private landowners whilst demonstrating green infrastructure’s far-reaching, science-based positive benefits.

Our Sustainability Commitment

We identified six Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) which we will focus on during this BID term.

This project primarily supports SDG13 – Climate Action, SDG3 – Good Health and Wellbeing and SD11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.