The Temple Quarter Spatial Framework is a non-statutory planning guidance document which covers the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and was prepared by Bristol City Council in October 2016. Currently adopted planning policy BCAP35 of the Bristol Local Plan – Bristol Central Area Plan requires development to have regard to the Spatial Framework. It provides guidance, helps co-ordinate and integrate investment, sets out the ambitions for the area and promotes an integrated place-making approach with sustainable urban design at its core. The Spatial Framework is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications relevant to the framework area.

We are currently consulting on a draft Development Framework for Temple Quarter. If adopted, the development framework will also be a non-statutory planning guidance document. It covers a much larger area than the Spatial Framework, including Bristol Temple Meads Station and St Philip’s Marsh. The Development Framework includes some of the Spatial Framework area, but not all of it. The purpose of the Development Framework is to set out a future vision for regeneration for the whole Temple Quarter area and not just the Enterprise Zone. Following the consultation on the draft Development Framework and if endorsed by Bristol City Council Cabinet, it will become a material planning consideration, similar to the Spatial Framework.

You can read more about the draft Development Framework and complete the consultation by 8 March 2023 by visiting our consultation hub.

Read the Spatial Framework

The Spatial Framework has been split into several sections, which you can read below. Please note that, as these are quite large files, they may take a couple of minutes to load.

Sections 1 and 2: Introduction and Existing Context
Read Sections 1 & 2 (PDF)

Section 3: The Framework
Read Section 3 (PDF)

Section 4: Scenario testing for key development projects
Read Section 4 (PDF)

Section 5: Delivering quality places
Read Section 5 (PDF)

You can also read two companion documents to the Spatial Framework:

  • The Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) (PDF). This is a strategic transport plan that focusses on how a combination of infrastructure, policy and behavioural change measures will encourage sustainable travel to, and within, the Enterprise Zone.
  • The Public Realm Guide (PDF). This sets out the council’s expectations for the design of people-friendly streets and spaces in the Enterprise Zone.