Brabazon development to play central role in vision for new town north of Bristol

Today the Government’s new town task force has named Brabazon as part of its vision for the next generation of new towns. 

Considered to be one of the highest quality developments in the whole of the UK, Brabazon New Town sits at the heart of a corridor of connected developments in South Gloucestershire known as the West Innovation Arc (WIA).

The WIA - stretching from Brabazon in the west to the Bristol & Bath Science Park in the east - is a rapidly growing district for R&D, advanced manufacturing, innovation, and security.

And the WIA with Brabazon New Town at its heart, has been included in the Government’s new towns task force list of 12 recommended locations across the country to be designated as new towns.  

With fast-growing innovation-led job creation, the WIA is poised to deliver nationally significant growth over the next decade. New town designation would open up access to Government support, accelerating development and investment in infrastructure. This would catalyse expansion in key sectors such as aerospace and engineering which already employ thousands of people across the region.

Brabazon New Town, the transformation of the historic former Filton Airfield in north Bristol, is being delivered by YTL UK Group. It already has planning permission for 6,500 new homes driving the creation of 30,000 new jobs and contributing £5 billion social and economic value to the region. And it has the potential to go further, delivering up to 25,000 homes.

Major improvement in public transport will make this possible. More than £100 million is already being invested to improve local infrastructure: a new railway station connecting Brabazon to Bristol Temple Meads in less than 15 minutes, and a dedicated metrobus will run straight through Brabazon, which will also be criss-crossed by walking routes and cycle paths.

The inclusion in the list of 12 new towns marks a major milestone for the West of England, cementing Brabazon’s role as a flagship for sustainable growth, housing delivery and economic opportunity.

Already under construction, with hundreds of new homes built and occupied, and £400 million invested by YTL, Brabazon will grow into a thriving new town, designed around people, nature and opportunity: the best place in the UK to live, work and play. Specifically, the development will deliver:

·       6,500 new homes for every generation, with the potential for up to 25,000, plus 2,000-bed student accommodation

·       30,000 new jobs and regional GVA of £5 billion

·       A live entertainment complex including 20,000-capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space, and an innovative aerospace-themed digital entertainment hub - putting Bristol on the world stage

·       Three new schools and community facilities to support lifelong learning

·       A new train station, alongside Metrobus links, cycle routes and walking paths to improve regional and local connectivity

·       More than 3.6 million sq ft of commercial space to incubate the next generation of businesses, talent and technology

·       A network of parks, green spaces and community hubs, designed to promote wellbeing, culture and connection. A 15-acre Brabazon Park and lake will be the largest in the South West for 50 years.

The announcement underlines Brabazon’s role as a national exemplar of modern placemaking, bringing together homes, jobs, transport and culture in a vibrant and inclusive community.

Seb Loyn, Director of Planning and Development at YTL Developments, said: "We welcome the fact that the West Innovation Arc with Brabazon at its heart has been recommended by the Government’s new towns task force. With work already underway at Brabazon this gives us a head start as one of the country’s flagship new towns. This recommendation is a vote of confidence in the vision we share with our partners and the community: to build a place with a soul, where culture, green space and opportunity come together.

This announcement gives us fresh momentum to deliver a thriving new town for Bristol and the South West, one that will stand as a model for sustainable growth across the UK."

To learn more, visit Brabazon.co.uk.