South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee has, for the second time in two years, resolved to approve outline planning permission for the re-development of the 143ha (354 acre) former Filton Airfield site.
A previous planning application for the site was put forward by then-owners BAE Systems in October 2014 and subsequently approved, subject to the signing of agreements requiring the developer to make financial contributions to local infrastructure schemes. However, BAE Systems later sold the site to YTL, a Malaysia-based infrastructure investor, without completing these agreements.
The latest plans, submitted by YTL Developments UK Ltd, retain the headline figure of 2,675 new homes. They also include provision for 24ha (62 acres) of employment space, three new schools, recreational areas and community facilities, a doctors’ surgery, a new railway station and a dedicated MetroBus route.
Filton Airfield is one of the largest brownfield sites in the country, and it represents YTL Developments’ first major project in the UK. The company’s ambition is to create a new neighbourhood where people can live and work, which is seamlessly connected to its surroundings and existing local communities.
Its connectivity with Bristol to the south, Cribbs Causeway and the surrounding neighbourhoods of South Gloucestershire and then beyond to London, has been an essential part of the design, which includes numerous interconnecting cycle paths and public transport options.
YTL will make a major investment in infrastructure and is preparing the site for development. It plans to develop the scheme as a single landowner, to ensure the whole site is well coordinated, well built and well connected to deliver a “thriving new neighbourhood for living and working”. It is hoped that thousands of new jobs will be created in the employment space, with a focus on advanced engineering and aerospace.
YTL Developments UK’s chief operating officer Barra Mac Ruairí, said:
“We are delighted that our plans to deliver a new neighbourhood of much-needed homes, community facilities and great parks and green spaces to this area of South Gloucestershire will now become a reality. YTL has taken time to produce a quality scheme as will be our hallmark. We have not rushed our application as it is the foundation for our future delivery. We have been investing in utilities, property and hotel assets across the UK for over a decade and we are committed to building a positive social and economic legacy for future generations.”
“We would like to thank all those who have worked with us to shape these exciting plans. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the local community as the development becomes a reality.”
The detailed design has not yet been finalised, but the company has plans to create spacious homes with built-in ‘smart’ technology, set amongst landscaped public areas and green spaces and with “great” transport connections.
Plans for the development to include a 30-storey “landmark” building were dropped following discussions with council officers.
It is expected that construction of infrastructure will commence in the new year, starting with work on roundabouts and access to the site.
YTL says that construction of the first buildings could start as early as autumn 2018, with new homeowners potentially moving in from spring 2019.
More info: YTL Land and Property
Image: Artist’s impression of Filton Airfield redevelopment
Image: Artist’s impressions of the Filton Airfield scheme proposed by YTL Developments. Illustrative only – refer to planning application for definitive documents. The plan on the left shows the eastern end of the site, with the A38 to the east, the railway to the south and Hayes Way to the north.
This article originally appeared in the November 2017 issue of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine (on pages 6 & 7). The magazine is delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
