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A major community-led green space in South Redcliffe is moving from vision to delivery following the allocation of £120,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy funding for the new Sanctuary Garden at Redcliffe Wharf.
The investment forms part of a wider programme of neighbourhood improvements being delivered across Central Ward, alongside recent investment in Bristol Harbour, demonstrating how developer contributions are being reinvested into public spaces that improve quality of life, strengthen community connections and make the city centre more inclusive.
Formerly known as the Quaker Memorial Garden, the site has been renamed Sanctuary Garden to better reflect its living purpose: a place of welcome, reflection, nature and belonging.
The project responds directly to Redcliffe’s long-standing planning vision for a sustainable, human-scale neighbourhood that is accessible to all while respecting the area’s history and character. The Future of Redcliffe planning framework identifies the need to protect and enhance the Quaker Burial Ground, improve pedestrian connections through Redcliffe Wharf and create better public spaces that reconnect people with the wider neighbourhood.
The vision for Sanctuary Garden has been shaped through consultation with asylum seekers and refugees, who described the need for a peaceful place where they could sit quietly, gather with friends and family, reconnect with nature, reflect on the challenges they have overcome and begin to imagine safer futures.
They spoke of creating a space to remember, hope, meet, play, share information, participate and belong.
The project is being delivered by Bristol City of Sanctuary and the Hope Centre, supported by local partners including UWE’s School of Architecture & Environment, Bristol BID, the Quakers, Central Ward Councillors, Historic England, Bristol City Council and local volunteers.
Work is already underway. Throughout the winter months, volunteers have gathered regularly to clear the site, plant crocuses and prepare the ground for future planting. Bristol City Council’s Parks Department has provided technical expertise and equipment, while Bristol BID has supported community volunteering on site.
Together with recent investment in Bristol Harbour, Sanctuary Garden reflects a shared ambition to create public spaces that are accessible, welcoming and connected. While each project responds to different local priorities, both demonstrate how targeted local investment can celebrate heritage, improve everyday environments and strengthen a sense of belonging across Central Ward.
After nearly three years of planning, Sanctuary Garden is now moving into delivery thanks to funding secured by Central Ward Councillors, alongside Bristol City Council’s commitment to construct the garden in accordance with the approved design.
Councillor Sibusiso Tshabalala, Central Ward Councillor, said:
“Sanctuary Garden is about dignity, belonging and investing in the everyday places that bring communities together. This is a historic part of Bristol, and this investment will create a welcoming green space that reflects both Redcliffe’s heritage and the diverse communities who call the area home.
“Alongside recent improvements in Bristol Harbour, this project demonstrates how targeted local investment can transform public spaces, making them greener, more welcoming and more inclusive. When communities, local organisations, universities and the Council work together around a shared vision, we create places that people are proud to use and proud to belong to.”
Susana Askew, Chair of Bristol City of Sanctuary, said:
“Sanctuary Garden represents welcome in physical form. Through consultation, people told us they needed somewhere to pause, reflect and feel part of the city. This garden is being shaped with them, not for them. It shows how sanctuary can be built together through community collaboration.”
UWE’s School of Architecture & Environment has played a pivotal role in shaping the project vision. Masters of Architecture students worked directly with Redcliffe residents through a Live Project programme, translating community aspirations into detailed designs that strengthened the funding case.
Professor James Burch, Professor of Architecture at UWE, said “We are incredibly proud of our Masters students and the depth of engagement they brought to this Live Project. Working alongside Redcliffe communities and ward councillors, they helped articulate and visualise local people’s ambitions for their neighbourhood.
“This is exactly what architectural education should do: bring students, communities and civic leadership together to co-produce meaningful, place-based change. We are pleased that their design work helped unlock this funding and move the project from vision to delivery.”
When complete, Sanctuary Garden will provide a high-quality public green space that honours Redcliffe’s heritage while creating opportunities for reflection, nature, community connection and belonging. Together with recent investment in Bristol Harbour and other neighbourhood improvements across Central Ward, it demonstrates how community-led projects and targeted investment can create places that are greener, more inclusive and better connected for everyone.
Sibusiso Tshabalala is a Bristol civic leader connecting resident voice, public benefit and community investment to build fairer, more democratic neighbourhoods and city centre.
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