Bristol City Council’s development control committee has finally given its approval for the £95m Bristol Arena and approved outline plans for the rest of Arena Island.

Above: Bristol Arena has been designed by Populous

Two applications were brought back to committee following a deferral last month to allow for additional transport information to be provided.

This time, both applications received unanimous support: a detailed planning application for the arena building with a public plaza and new access routes; and an outline application for the future development of housing, business and leisure uses close to the venue.

Bouygues UK is lined up to build the new 12,000-capacity venue on the site of a derelict former diesel depot close to Temple Meads railway station.

Work is already under way to create new access routes to Arena Island with work on the arena building due to start later in the year. The venue is due to open in 2018.