Huge 6,500-home neighbourhood on Bristol outskirts approved in 'historic' decision

A “historic decision” has been taken to approve plans for a giant housing development on the former Filton Airfield. YTL Developments now has planning permission to build 6,500 homes on the old airport in north Bristol, more than twice the size of its original plan for the site.

The plans also include new schools, a research campus, office spaces, laboratories, cafes and restaurants. Developers won’t be allowed to build some of the new homes until they can prove public transport has been improved, to prevent clogging up the nearby road network with cars.

Councillors on the strategic sites delivery committee at South Gloucestershire Council voted to approve planning permission today (Thursday, February 29). Developers previously had permission to build 2,675 homes, but the new Brabazon development will now be much more dense.

Speaking to the committee, Simon Fitton, technical planning director at YTL, said: “Today hopefully represents a huge milestone in the evolution of Brabazon. This consent will allow for review to ensure the transport strategy is working, and the right amount of education, community and health facilities are available and meeting everyone’s needs.

“Should the public transport improvements we anticipate not happen, we have committed to pause if needs be and agree to further mitigation to allow the development to continue. Few other developers are willing to make such promises, but we see this as a pragmatic way to work in partnership with the council and National Highways.

“There’s probably no other site outside of London that can minimise the need to travel by car, plan around new public transport and create a thriving walking and cycling neighbourhood. We’ll deliver over 1,700 affordable homes, and the commercial floorspace would also triple with jobs rising to 30,000. And we’ll deliver more public open space than under the current permission.”

CGI images showing how the new Brabazon neighbourhood north of Bristol could look

Construction is already taking place on the first phase of homes, as well as the main spine road through the area. Over 150 homes have already been finished and are occupied.

As well as new housing, the plans include three hotels, 600 extra care units, 270,000 square metres of offices, 55,000 square metres for industrial uses, 25,000 square metres of town centre uses, student accommodation, two primary schools, one high school, community buildings, health and sports provision. An arena and new train station are also planned on adjacent sites.

Councillor Sanjay Shambhu, representing Charlton and Cribbs, said: “The former Filton Airfield site is brownfield and perfectly suited for a development of this size and scope. This development will bring significant benefits to my ward and to the wider district with a boost to economic activity and enhanced public services. There’s a great deal of support for this locally.”

The development will be split into phases, to ensure there’s not an adverse impact on the local road network. This means YTL won’t be allowed to build all of the homes planned, unless critical upgrades to buses and trains take place. As part of the development, several new bike lanes and bus routes are planned, and there will be few car parking spaces for residents.

Visitors will be able to wander along the floating boardwalk around the lake

Cllr Adrian Rush said: “Transport is the one thing that worries me more than anything else. That’s because we’ve completely failed to change modal transport ever in South Gloucestershire.

“We’re looking here to change people’s attitudes away from cars and into buses and trains, where it’s never happened before in this county that we’ve been able to do this. I’m worried it’s not going to happen, and I’m hopeful that if we get to the stage where they review it and it’s not working quite as well as they’d thought, we can go back and start thinking again.”

‘It will transform the entire area’

Another concern was service charges which future residents will have to pay. These will go towards a management company responsible for running the public open spaces and parks. Some councillors suggested these should be handed over to the local parish councils instead.

Speaking after the meeting, Seb Loyn, planning and development director for YTL Developments, said: “The approval of the new masterplan for Brabazon is a once in a generation opportunity. It will transform not just north Bristol and South Gloucestershire, but the entire West of England.

“The region desperately needs more homes. Brabazon will deliver 6,500, with over 1,700 being affordable. Local businesses need space to grow and expand: Brabazon will provide over 3 million square feet of commercial space. That means that the local cluster of world-leading engineering, aerospace and technology firms can provide new opportunities for young talent.

“But if we are to tackle the climate crisis, we need to build more sustainable homes in the right places. Brabazon is on brownfield land along existing public transport corridors. Maximising its potential will ease pressure on the greenbelt. This decision paves the way for YTL Developments to build the new homes, offices, schools and community facilities we all need, and to do so in a way that is environmentally and economically sustainable.”

Councillor Chris Willmore, cabinet member for planning, added: “This is a historic place-shaping decision by the council for a major sustainable community with the necessary infrastructure to create a truly outstanding place. The plans for Brabazon will create a major new community for South Gloucestershire and a new quarter for the wider Bristol area, built on brownfield land.

“We have been working positively with YTL Developments and National Highways to ensure the right infrastructure will be in place. As well as delivering 6,500 high quality homes, 1,724 of these will be affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership, and there will be office and industrial floor space, which in conjunction with the construction work has the potential to create over 30,000 jobs.

“The development will help reduce reliance on car travel with Metrobus and local buses serving the area along with the train station which already has secured planning permission. A community hub and health care facility will also be provided, along with parks, lakes and open spaces, with over 3,500 trees planted on the site.”