The developer Dominus is applying to redevelop the site – currently known as Premier Business Park on Sussex Street – with student accommodation and a new community centre
Illustration of ‘New Henry Yard’ development looking at the junction of Sussex Street and Kingsland Road (image AHMM)
The redevelopment of a brownfield industrial site in St Philips, adjacent to The Dings, into a new mixed-use scheme appears to be moving forward as council officers have recommended approval of the planning application.
Dominus, the developer, is seeking to transform the site – currently known as Premier Business Park on Sussex Street – into student accommodation and a new community centre. Bristol Live readers are fed up with student accommodation.
The initial proposal was rejected in June last year due to councillors’ concerns about students residing on an industrial estate and the potential loss of too much commercial land.
Local businesses were against the project and Bristol City Council received objections from around the globe as it would have resulted in the departure of the globally-renowned Invisible Circus.
The east building, which is closest to the adjacent industrial area, will house a telecoms hub and 60,000 sq ft of flexible employment space. This space could be used for creative makerspaces, warehousing, and storage.
The second building will feature 549 managed student homes, a new community hub, a planted courtyard, gym, and social/study spaces. The student accommodation will consist of 284 cluster rooms (52%), 169 studios (31%), and 96 townhouse rooms (17%).
Developers argue that their proposals will transform the site from a fenced-off industrial block into an area with improved pedestrian and cycle connections.
These include a landscaped pedestrian route through the site, a new cycle connection into the Bristol & Bath Railway Path, and two new pedestrian crossings.
During the construction phase, it’s expected that the development will support 500 jobs and contribute £45 million each year to the local economy.
Commenter CharlesBridge said: “Just think. In a few short years, ALL buildings will look just like this. Devoid of features defining them, they all look the same.”
Prims states: “This is the only proposed building application to be built directly within a residential housing estate. In the rules and regulations it states that building PBSA’s on housing estates is not permitted. (The proposed application is in fact within meters from a residential housing estate).The previous application, which was refused, addresses this. Have these rules and regulations been amended to accommodate the property developers, if so why?”
Thinksclearzooms thinks: “Jobs, green space, student homes and a community hub – what’s not to like?”
Busy Nan disagrees: “Bristol used to be home to lots of people, lots of family run shops and Broadmead was a great place to go shopping, not anymore. It’s a student city, we are being pushed out.”
Bs3bob asks: “So how many homes will be freed up for regular Bristolians to buy/rent due to the building of these thousands of student flats?”
Downtowngirl adds: “How many students regularly go to uni in Bristol? There are so many student flats being built and there is no sign of the houses they used to live in becoming vacant for families. Look after the Bristol born and bred who want to stay in Bristol first. Community hub! Where is the community to use a hub?”
Zimboa thinks: “With so many student buildings going up, it’s time they started paying some council tax.”
Sirfrancisdrake agrees: “Brilliant, more student cupboards for our great city in a prime area of land, just what we need. It seems with BCC, council tax payers don’t need anywhere to live!”
Bristolruined grumbles: “Time to move out of Bristol – and look at all the bicycles! You can’t drive very far as most of the roads are now closed. What a joke Bristol is becoming.”
Jonty2 believes: “I have strong doubts the community centre will ever get built. I think the developers will be back to the planners in a couple of years citing rising build costs and hold the planners to ransom by stating that the affordable homes costs can’t be paid for unless the community hub is binned. Then they will reduce the social rented proportion of the affordable homes for the same reason. It’s about time the Planners wised up and required the cost of these facilities to be paid into escrow up front before any work commences and only to be paid out for the community hub invoices for completed work.”
Covid-51 asks: “Why can’t homes be built for families?”
How do you feel about more student housing in Bristol? Have your say in our comments section.