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Thank you for your interest in the Western Harbour Advisory Group. We appreciate you taking the time to find out more.

Are you hopeful about the future change of Western Harbour?
Do you want to influence what happens here?
Are you passionate about representing the voice of a wider community?

Western Harbour is an area that extends from Hotwells to Greville Smyth Park and includes Cumberland Basin and the New Cut. As the city responds to a changing climate, aging infrastructure, the increasing threat of flooding and the need to provide quality places for people to live and work, Western Harbour presents an opportunity to shape a place that meets these challenges head on, while valuing what makes this part of Bristol so special and unique.

We’re looking for a completely fresh set of members for the Western Harbour Advisory Group (WHAG) who will help to build on the vision approved by Bristol City Council, and bring community perspectives and ideas to this important part of the city as it evolves. They will also play a key role in sharing updates from the project back to their communities. The council is committed to making sure the voice of our citizens is heard throughout the project, to ensure Bristol City Council’s team and the masterplanning team take on board the needs of our communities. John Savage will remain the chair in the first instance.

To make this the best place it can be for the widest group of people, it's essential that we involve a broad chorus of voices and experiences. We’re aiming to bring together a group that reflects the diversity of Bristol with up to 16 members in place by early March 2024 and remaining throughout the development of the masterplan.

Communities around Western Harbour, and across the city were incredibly generous with their time in 2021/2. The ideas and insight offered have helped shape a community-led vision for the area. It is vital that we build on the aspirations set out in the vision to ensure the place principles are carried through as the project develops and decisions are made going forward.

The project is now moving into the masterplanning stage which will set out in the long-term plans to guide development in the future. The masterplan will describe a long-term picture for Western Harbour and where housing, community spaces, walking and cycling networks, the road and greenspace will go. The future of the road network, creating a sustainable place to live and helping to combat the housing crisis are all issues the project will address. We will appoint a masterplanning team by March 2024.

More specific details will be worked out in future planning applications – the masterplan will help guide change so that we get the broad principles right. The community-led vision has shaped a brief so that the council can appoint a design team and technical consultants who will produce the masterplan.

The Western Harbour Advisory Group (WHAG) will be an important group who work with Bristol City Council and the masterplanning team. Their input will sit alongside that of that of a range of other information sources that will be gathered as the project progresses, from technical experts to councillors and statutory bodies (such as Historic England and the Environment Agency).

As a member of the Western Harbour Advisory Group you will work with Bristol City Council to:

  • Champion, inspire and advocate for different elements of the Western Harbour vision
  • Proactively bring ideas and community insight to the table
  • Give a steer on the overall direction of the project
  • Be a sounding board for the project as it goes forward
  • Show a willingness to learn about the area and the existing community, the reasons for the project, and the considerations affecting it and emerging issues through the masterplanning process
  • Share information with your wider community

You will bring your community expertise to the project in relation to four key themes: Culture, Community, Environment and Economy. With strong connections with the community you represent, you will champion their aspirations and solutions throughout the conversation. You don’t need to be a professional in these areas, just passionate and with strong community links.

The group will be organised by Bristol City Council, with individual sessions facilitated by the masterplanning team, technical experts etc – depending on the aspect of the project discussed at the time.

The Western Harbour Advisory Group (WHAG) input will sit alongside a range of other information sources that will be gathered as the project progresses, from technical experts to councillors and statutory bodies. It will be one of many voices the project team will need to consider as part of the consultation and engagement plan for the project. At key points in the project the wider public will also be invited to comment. Council Members and Statutory stakeholders will not be members of the Western Harbour Advisory Group, however their input will be sought separately by the project team.

We’re looking for people who can bring community expertise to the table and bring in-depth knowledge of their communities relating to four themes distilled from the vision - Culture, Community, Environment and Economy. You can read more about the vision here. The group will constructively help us move the project forward in a way that makes sure these elements, and the principles that underpin them, are embedded into the project as we move forward. You don’t need to be a professional in these areas, just passionate and with strong community links.

It is important that the group includes people who can bring a diversity of lived experiences. We’re aiming to bring on board a group that reflects the diversity of Bristol so that the area is designed with everyone in mind.

This group will be a key connection between the project and wider communities. The group will play a role in ensuring that the community is kept informed about the project and sharing wider community voices with the council and project team.

We will review how the group is working together after 6 months to make sure it works constructively for all members.

Although the WHAG is an important group, they are one part of lots of engagement that will take place with the community. We understand not everyone can commit to the requirements of a regular group so will make sure there are plenty of opportunities to continue to help us with the plans for the project as it progresses. The group will help us to shape an inclusive engagement strategy so that we can hear from a wide range of voices.

  • To be a valued member of the wider Western Harbour project team, and help shape the future of Western Harbour.
  • To promote your area of interest and raise the profile of the communities you are connected with.
  • An opportunity to exchange skills by learning from the group and the technical experts that will be working on the masterplan.
  • A financial contribution for your time – we would like to offer living wage (£10.90 an hour) for attendance at the ten meetings.
  • We will ensure that any accessibility requirements are met, including contribution to travel expenses, childcare etc. to ensure that the sessions are inclusive and accessible.
  • To attend ten sessions over the next twelve months
  • We would like for new members to commit to this stage of the project which we think will take place for one year.
  • To share information with your wider community and networks.
  • To engage constructively in meetings.

We will use the first meeting to get to know one another and explore the scope of community influence and involvement together.

We anticipate the first workshop for this group will take place in March and expect there to be approximately 10 sessions over the next 12 months.

We will agree the best time and day for meetings together. We will send over an agenda at least a week in advance and will send out meeting notes a week after the meeting. The group will be organised by Bristol City Council, with individual sessions facilitated by the masterplanning team, technical experts etc – depending on the aspect of the project discussed at the time.

Please fill out the application form in the link here https://harbourhopes.co.uk/whag. The application deadline is Tuesday 27 February at 12pm.

To find out more come along to one of our drop-in sessions to chat with a member of the Bristol City Council Regeneration team. You don’t need to book, just turn up during the allocated times:

10am – 2pm
Tuesday 20 February
Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Spike Island, BS1 6XN

10am – 2pm
Wednesday 21 February
Bristol City Council, City Hall, BS1 5TR

If you have any questions or would like to submit your application answers in an alternative format, (for example, you could consider a video, phone call, or written submission) please email hello@harbourhopes.co.uk or call 0117 92 24409 to leave a message, and we will be in touch.