Major student scheme gets green light from planning officials – South West

Developer Watkin Jones has been granted permission to press a head with a major student flats scheme in Bristol.Bristol City Council Development Committee has approved plans for the development of a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol.The development is one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the council.Formerly an engineering works and foundry, the project is a prime opportunity to revive a disused brownfield site and contribute to the broader regeneration of the Bedminster Green area.The scheme will deliver high-quality managed homes for students ranging from six to ten storeys in height across three buildings.The proposals will deliver broad benefits to the local community, including the creation of a new public space and improvements to the highway infrastructure.The new student population is expected to support local businesses, including those along nearby East Street in particular.Compared to the proposals of previous developers, Watkin Jones’ proposal promoted significant changes including reducing the number and height of buildings across the site and decreasing the number of rooms to better reflect the local character and in response to public engagement.With support from the University of Bristol, this scheme will help to meet the higher education needs of the city that continues to be a premier destination of choice for both UK and international students as numbers continue to rise. Importantly, it has been designed sustainably to support the Group’s ESG strategy.Watkin Jones is expected to partner with its award-winning management company Fresh to deliver well-maintained, 24-hour on-site services for students.As a leading and long-standing student accommodation developer, Fresh can ensure the site is well cared for and that the student population is well integrated with the existing community.Ben Wrighton, Head of Planning at Watkin Jones commented: “We are very excited to announce planning approval for our second project in one of Bristol’s key regeneration areas and our third active project within the city.“Our commitment to providing high-quality, and well-managed purpose-built student accommodation will in part address the significant growing demand from the University of Bristol.”