This week’s most notable planning applications to Bristol City Council
Brabazon Park with views of the lake and Aviva Arena(Image: Handout)
The proposed final section of the biggest urban park in the South West for 50 years has been unveiled, according to plans recently submitted.
Each week Bristol City Council receives dozens of planning applications seeking permission for a whole range of developments.
Over the past seven days, those applications also included converting a former private school into eight homes and offices into 23 student flats.
Here’s this week’s round-up of notable planning applications submitted to the council.
Every week dozens are validated by the local authority and we have selected some of the more interesting proposals.
All planning applications submitted to the council have to be validated and are available for inspection by the public.
Anyone is also allowed to submit comments about the applications — whether in support or objection.
The majority of applications are decided by planning officers at the council under delegated powers.
However, some will go before elected councillors who sit on planning committees.
No dates have been set for when the planning applications below will be determined.
They can be viewed by going to the planning portal on Bristol City Council’s website.
Brabazon Park
Detailed plans have been submitted for the final section of the park at the centre of the huge new Brabazon development on the former Filton Airfield.
Brabazon Park will be about the size of Castle Park, with 15 acres of new green space, sports facilities, playgrounds, cafes, kiosks, wildflower meadows, trees, and a lake and aquatic plants.
YTL Developments has submitted the latest plans to South Gloucestershire Council which has asked its counterparts at Bristol City Hall for comments as the wider application site for 6,500 homes and a 20,000-seat arena – which was last month named Aviva Arena – crosses the local authorities’ border.
The proposals cover the smallest section of the park closest to the new arena.
In planning documents, architects said: “The submitted plans include details of the proposed canopies within Brabazon Park South.
“During event days, portable security screening equipment will be positioned beneath these canopies to screen visitors entering the arena before they proceed across the railway bridge.
“On non-event days, the security equipment will not be present, and only the canopies will remain in place.
“Brabazon Park is to provide valuable amenity for residents – contributing towards the creation of a pleasant, healthy and active neighbourhood.
“It is envisaged as a sequence of spaces and character zones connected by sustainable water management, planting and topography; offering open flexible space for passive and active use, recreation, sports, play, respite and temporary and seasonal outdoor events.”
Brabazon Park was given planning permission in November 2022.
School to become homes
A former private school that stopped trading with the introduction of VAT on fees would become seven new flats and a house.
Developers are seeking permission to turn Torwood House School in Durdham Park, Redland, into residential accommodation.
Consultants said in planning documents: “Following the closure of the school at the end of 2023 and subsequent failure to find occupants for the building through the marketing process, the applicant is seeking consent to change the use of the principal building to seven flats, and the annex building family dwelling,
“The applicant has successfully operated Torwood House School for many years and expanded with the development of the annex following planning permission in 2012.
“In recent years, however, the operation of the school at this site became increasingly costly and difficult to manage.
“A strategic review of the business concluded that continued operation of the school use within the application site was no longer viable, and the educational use ceased.
“Torwood House School as an organisation ceased trading entirely in August 2025, following the introduction of VAT on private school fees.”
Student flats at offices
Vacant offices at a semi-detached building in Whiteladies Road would be converted into 23 student flats.
The owners have asked for a change of use for all four floors of the property, including the basement.
Agents said in planning documents: “The building was last occupied in office use, although it has been vacant for a prolonged period.
“A marketing report confirmed that the property generated no strong interest or formal offers.
“The existing office accommodation, with its compartmentalised layout, is less attractive to modern occupiers who typically seek open‑plan space to maximise flexibility and efficiency.”
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