Planning approved for the next evolution in student accommodation

12th January 2024
Planning approved for the next evolution in student accommodation

YTL Developments’ vision for the thriving new neighbourhood at Brabazon took another step forward recently as South Gloucestershire Council approved plans for 1514 beds of purpose-built student accommodation.

Our proposed scheme builds on the success of The Hangar District—the first collection of new homes at the historic former Filton Airfield—and aligns with YTL Developments’ desire to foster community and boost people’s wellbeing.

“Brabazon is designed to live up to the pioneering legacy of the former Filton Airfield and inspire the next generation. New purpose-built student accommodation is essential to our vision to create a thriving, diverse new neighbourhood for Bristol.” – Sebastian Loyn, Planning and Development Director, YTL Developments

The next evolution in student accommodation

Set across four blocks, students can live in four and five bed clusters, or individual studios. To support their journey through university life, amenity-rich communal areas and landscaped courtyards offer a careful balance of loud and quiet spaces; a library and private study rooms for the studious, content rooms for the eager podcaster, and karaoke rooms to end (or begin) a social butterfly’s night. In their downtime, students can relax in the games cabin, or host cooking classes in the pantry.

“Student accommodation is no longer just a bed and a desk. We take the whole student journey into account and recognise for many it’s a rite of passage, but at the same time living away from home for the first time can be daunting. So in addition to facilities for studying and socialising, we focus on pastoral care, ensuring students don’t feel isolated and all neurodiverse needs are met.” — Lee Diggle, Head of Student Living, Stride Treglown

The social zones spill out onto south-facing courtyards, each with its own identity linked to its function, where students can enjoy everything from yoga, basketball, and table-tennis, to outdoor dining, lying back on a grassy mound to watch a film, or finding peace and quiet on a lounger in the sun.

Inviting nature into the design

High quality paving in strong lines with trees and seating create a welcoming identity on arrival to the student accommodation. A wide ecological buffer, made up of native planting and carefully considered trees, will sit adjacent to the railway, providing colour and a year round connection to nature—another boost for student wellbeing, while linking the project with the wider masterplan for Brabazon.

What’s next?
Planning for the project was approved in just 13 weeks, marking a major milestone for Stride Treglown by pushing the number of successfully designed student bedrooms to over 35,000.

The project will now move to RIBA Stage 4. YTL Developments anticipate construction work will start later this year, with opening expected in time for the 2026-7 academic year.

Get in touch with Lee Diggle, Head of Student Living, if you’d like to find out more about this project or our work in the sector. 

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