Marvin Rees has made clear his determination to introduce a New York-style subway system for Bristol, but his ambitions to transform the city into the Big Apple of the South West are not only subterranean.

In his inaugural State of the City address, Rees spoke of his desire to introduce taller buildings to Bristol. “I want Bristol’s skyline to grow,” he said. “Years of low level buildings and a reluctance to build up in an already congested city… is something I am keen to change.”

Rees is now asking the wider Bristol community to comment on new planning guidance that he hopes will help increase the density and height of future developments in the city.

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The Paintworks and Wapping Wharf have been cited as examples of how Bristol’s skyline can be changed, with future proposals designed “to support a significant increase in new and affordable homes in Bristol by encouraging the best use of land through more concentrated building and welcoming high quality taller buildings in the right places”.

Rees said: “We have the opportunity to be much more ambitious in order to meet our growth requirements, while at the same time protecting the unique character of Bristol.

“This document is intended to encourage well-designed, connected and accessible neighbourhoods with a focus on regenerating brownfield land across the city. We need to take bold and innovative steps to make Bristol a joined up city, linking up people with jobs and with each other.

“I am confident this positive guidance can help meet the competing demands which developments need to fulfil in a busy urban environment like Bristol and ensure we have the right balance alongside our historic environment.

“Most areas of Bristol do have the potential to accommodate more growth and regeneration, which would see an increase in housing densities.

“This is about creating good places to live for everyone and, importantly, establishing new neighbourhoods which everyone has a stake in, where no one gets left behind.”

Nicola Beech, city council cabinet member for spatial planning and city design, said that there is already “significant” development interest in areas of the city including Temple Quarter, Broadmead, Old Market and Redcliffe.

She said: “We are keen to extend this interest eastwards, promoting renewal to some of Bristol’s poorest communities.”

Read the Urban Living Supplementary Planning Guidance Consultation at www.bristol.gov.uk/urbanliving