Regeneration Huge city schemes could boost UK economy

TWO massive Bristol regeneration projects could have a transformational impact on the South West and UK economies - but the city and the wider West still needs big transport improvements, their bosses have said.

- Alistair HOUGHTON

Bristol's massive Temple Quarter and Brabazon regeneration projects were showcased at UKREiiF, the massive regeneration festival that will see thousands of business leaders and investors flock to Leeds this week.

The massive Brabazon scheme - the largest brownfield regeneration scheme in the UK - will see the former Filton Airfield turned into a new town with thousands of homes and a 19,000-seat arena. A huge investment from Malaysian group YTL was announced earlier this year.

Meanwhile the Temple Quarter scheme will see homes for thousands of people and businesses built on the land around Temple Meads station and into St Philips.

The UKREiiF event at the Western Gateway pavilion was introduced by Helen Godwin, new mayor of the West of England. She said the West was an area people wanted to live and work in - and was an area where people have "creativity coming out of our pores".