Plans to redevelop the historic Bristol Soapworks building have been recommended for approval after being submitted to Bristol City Council.
Mixed-use developer First Base wants to transform the Grade II listed former Gardiner Haskins outlet into 242 homes, offices and retail space.
A report previously published by the firm has said the proposals could generate up to £200m in community benefits over the next 20 years, including 2,000 jobs.
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Bristol City Council’s Planning Committee will make a decision on the £175m project on Wednesday, March 31.
The 2.25-acre soapworks site is located on the edge of Bristol city centre, close to Bristol Temple Meads station and between the city’s business district at Temple Quay and cultural quarter at Old Market.
Under the plans the historic building would accommodate a ground-floor food hall and office space above.
Two new properties would be built next to it, including a 20-storey block of flats, and space for retail, food and drink outlets, and new green spaces accessible to the wider public.
Other commitments outlined in First Base’s report include more affordable housing in Old Market, skills and training opportunities for local people and working with charities to minimise homelessness.
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Lucinda Mitchell, project director at First Base, said: “We are delighted that our plans to bring the Soapworks back to life have been recommended for approval.
“Our proposals will create new jobs, homes and community amenities, supporting Bristol’s inclusive and sustainable recovery. I’d like to thank the local community for their support and for helping us shape these plans.”
First Base sought the views of up to 6,000 local residents in the development’s consultation phase in 2019, with over 80% supporting the proposals.
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In October, First Base submitted revised plans for the site after a barrage of objections, including fears Old Market could reportedly be “dwarfed” by a 20-storey tower block included in the plans, according to BusinessLive’s sister site
But the developer argued its proposals were “reflective" of the scale and nature of change in the locality and supported "wider regeneration objectives”.
The old Soapworks factory building dates back to the 1860s. It became the home of local furniture and interiors retailer Gardiner Haskins, which relocated in 2018 to a showroom in the nearby Brunel Rooms building on Straight Street, Broad Plain.