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Temple Island, Bristol

Legal & General

Scheme

Meeting Place is providing strategic communication and engagement support to Legal & General on the landmark redevelopment of the Temple Island site in Bristol’s Temple Quarter.

The community engagement was one of the most ambitious ever executed in the city and saw the team take engagement to the people using a variety of digital tools, pop-ups and direct stakeholder engagement to build a coalition of support behind the plans.

On a contentious site Meeting Place initially supported Legal & General with strategic counsel, stakeholder engagement and media relations as the proposed land agreement went through Bristol City Council’s governance processes.

Following a series of council meetings regarding the proposed deal, the land agreement was supported by Bristol City Council’s Cabinet in February 2020.

Meeting Place then led a three-phase community engagement process to support the creation of the plans.

Strategy

The multi-channel exercise, including the use of our bespoke mapping tool, social media, virtual briefings and on the ground in-person engagement inspired people to engage and made it as accessible as possible to do so.

Pop-ups were held to listen to what people thought of the plans. They were held across the city including Temple Quay, Bristol Temple Meads railway station, Totterdown Tesco car park, Broadmead, the Wellspring Settlement and the fountains.

People were also informed and could engage through newsletters, social media, a dedicated project website and close working with community and other partners to encourage them to broadcast through their networks.

Outcome

This is one of the most significant projects in the regions. We’re successfully creating a coalition of support with a wide variety of political, community and business stakeholders.

The project has continued to receive backing despite not only changing political control on the council but the move to a completely different governance structure from a directly elected mayor to a committee system.

  • Creating more than 2,000 jobs
  • Up to 500 new homes with a target of up to 40% being affordable
  • An investment of over £300 million in the city

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