South Gloucestershire Council has passed a resolution to grant planning approval for the revised masterplan for Brabazon, the thriving new neighbourhood for South Gloucestershire and Bristol being built by YTL Developments on the historic former Filton Airfield. As the birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel, home to over 100 years
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage said the investment at Brabazon will transform the region as he marked the ‘Topping Out’ of the first new homes YTL Developments have ‘topped out’ the first new homes at Brabazon on the former Filton Airfield, meaning the first roofs have been completed.
South Gloucestershire Council has passed a resolution to grant planning approval for the revised masterplan for Brabazon, the thriving new neighbourhood for South Gloucestershire and Bristol being built by YTL Developments on the historic former Filton Airfield. As the birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel, home to over 100 years of aviation history, the former Filton Airfield is known worldwide for a community that changed the world. Under the plans, Brabazon will become a new urban destination that lives up to that legacy. This pioneering new place aims to provide every generation with the space, connectivity and opportunity to continue to shape the future of South Gloucestershire and North Bristol. It will provide new homes, new jobs and renew the fabric of the community, driving local prosperity for the next century. Once YTL Developments, South Gloucestershire Council and National Highways have signed the Section 106 Agreement, Brabazon is forecast to create over £5billion of added economic value for the local area. The approved plans should see Brabazon grow to over 6,000 new homes of every type and tenure and for every generation, from rental apartments to flats for first-time-buyers, open-market houses and properties for retirement living. There will be up to 2,000 beds for student accommodation, while high-quality affordable homes will make up 26.5% of properties, equating to over 1,700 architect-designed houses and apartments. Crucially, the plans are based on a flexible framework so that development is phased alongside improved transport links. Three reviews stages are built into the approval to ensure that the number of homes built at Brabazon can only increase in line with the additional transport connections and community facilities needed to support those homes. The plans – developed by a consortium of world-renowned architects and planners including JRDV Urban International (US), alongside Bath-based Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (UK), SWA Group(US), Grant Associates(UK) and YTL Construction Design Group (Mal)– also include up to 3 million sq ft of commercial space: enough to support 30,000 jobs. The local area is already home to Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN. The top 25 employers alone have over 45,000 staff working within a few miles of Brabazon, many in high-skilled engineering, aerospace and technology roles. Yet recently this world-leading commercial cluster has lacked the space to grow. With three new schools and plans for a higher education or research campus alongside creative office spaces, laboratories and advanced manufacturing facilities, Brabazon will meet this need. It will act as a centre of learning and a launchpad for every type of business, from leading global firms local start-ups shaping the latest technologies. Brabazon will also be a hub for culture, creativity and entertainment. You’ll be able to wander around independent stores, discover new cafes and restaurants or relax in over 86 acres of public space, from leafy squares to Brabazon Park: the largest new public park in the south west for 50 years. And at its heart will be the supersonic new YTL Arena Bristol, with a capacity of over 17,000. Finally, Brabazon will be connected to Bristol city centre and beyond: over £100m is already being invested in the local transport network. A new rail station will connect the neighbourhood to Bristol Temple Meads in less than 15 minutes. Three MetroBus stops will link Brabazon with Bristol Parkway mainline train terminus, with the shops and restaurants at the South West’s largest retail centre Cribbs Causeway, and with the University of the West of England. And we will be creating 3 Kms of new segregated walking routes and cycle paths. Seb Loyn, Planning & Development Director for YTL Developments, says: “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 entirety of the 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 sq ft 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 responsible for planning at South Gloucestershire Council, says: “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.” YTL Developments is already making good progress on delivering Brabazon. At present: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage said the investment at Brabazon will transform the region as he marked the ‘Topping Out’ of the first new homes YTL Developments have ‘topped out’ the first new homes at Brabazon on the former Filton Airfield, meaning the first roofs have been completed. Having broken ground at the beginning of 2020, the rapid progress means that the first homes will go on sale before the end of this year. Having been present in January when YTL Developments began to dig the first foundations at Brabazon, the leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage today returned to mark the moment when new homes at Brabazon reached their full height. “Brabazon is set to transform the local area and is a wakeup call to the big housebuilders on what new development can look like and deliver for communities. The most exciting thing is that this will be a really thriving new neighbourhood, not just another housing project. There will be public parks, schools, community facilities and new transport links,” said Cllr Savage. “And at the heart of it will be the incredible new YTL Arena Complex. For so many it’s going to be the most exciting place to be in the South West.” The first phase of new homes will include a range of one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes. With construction well underway, YTL Developments expect the first new homes to go on sale before the end of the year, with the first residents moving in at the start of 2021. Designed by internationally-renowned, locally-based architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, it is the design details that make the new homes at Brabazon particularly distinctive. Built of solid red brick, the houses are proper homes: spacious, warm and welcoming, with generous room sizes and plenty of outdoor space. Cllr Toby Savage continued: “Clearly the past few months have been challenging in many different ways. The fact that YTL Developments are pressing ahead at speed with this huge investment is a real sign of confidence and is already starting to bring in jobs and opportunities for local people. It really shows their commitment to our local community.” Rob Benson, Construction Director at YTL Developments said: “I’m the third generation of my family to have worked here at the former Filton Airfield. To see this historic local landmark being brought back to life feels really personal to me. Seeing the quality of the new homes as they come out the ground is fantastic. Huge credit goes to our local team of site managers, supervisors and contractors. We are continuing to press ahead and can’t wait to see the first new residents move in early next year.” Jon McDiarmid, Director at YTL Developments, said: “The first new homes at Brabazon are setting the standard for what this new neighbourhood will become. The design details like the curve of the crescent, the quality of the brickwork and the extra space inside and out will make for really distinctive new homes. “With the good progress currently being made by the construction team, we expect to be able to offer our first homes for sale before the end of 2020.” To find out more and register your interest, please visit www.brabazon.co.uk/register
