Bakers Quay redevelopment set to start in Autumn
But Gloucester's MP says it may not be finished until 2028
Work to redevelop a landmark building in Gloucester Docks looks set to begin this autumn but the planned ten-storey tower block of flats may not be finished until 2028, according to city MP Richard Graham.
Rokeby Merchant Developments Ltd was granted permission by Gloucester City Council in April last year for the restoration and development of a further phase of Bakers Quay.
The £40 million scheme includes a total of 117 flats and includes partial demolition, restoration, development and extension of Downings Malthouse and the High Orchard Street Warehouse.
Developers said at the time the building was designed to be “unapologetic” about its height as they want to create a new landmark for Gloucester’s skyline.
The plans include the creation of a new basement level in Downings Malthouse accessed from Merchants Road to provide basement car parking and an extension.
The proposals have a bridge link to Downings Malthouse extension to provide 49 flats and 645.8 square feet of commercial floorspace on the ground and upper floors.
The development also includes a new building comprising basement ground and nine upper floors on the site of the former silo and High Orchard Street Kiln.
This includes car parking, a ground floor plaza, reception and accommodation linking the building to Downings Malthouse, to provide 68 flats on the ground and upper floors along with extra parking to the south of Downings Malthouse Extension.
Mr Graham said in his latest email to residents that he recently visited the site with Rokeby Merchant partners Michael Chicken and Adrian Goodall.
He said they told him the tower block will be the final part completed on the site and that he is looking forward to work starting on the site in September 2024.
“They explained that the order in which they tackle the buildings has changed,” Mr Graham said.
“Because of revised building regulations, the plans for Downings Tower need to be altered and so the Tower now comes last,” he said.
“The heritage elements of the development come first. This makes sense so that building happens behind the new residents rather than in front of them.
“It also means the canal side walkway from High Orchard Bridge on St Ann Way to Llanthony Bridge on the south side of the canal comes closer to completion, although the section at Numold remains closed.”
The Conservative MP says he still dreams of seeing a gondola service created which goes back and forth to Llanthony in the summer. “With ice cream in Gloucester Walls for sale at the mooring point and perhaps Alan Myatt singing ‘Just One Cornetto’ but my children imply I’m getting carried away,” he continued.
“The short answer is a lot, invisible work has started, and it will take time. In more detail, this is £40 million of private investment – no public money – with work on sites starting this year and, I hope, completion of the complex by the end of 2026.
“The Downings Tower will follow, with a likely schedule of completion by the end of 2028. I am looking forward to seeing work start on the site in September/October 2024.”