“Brabazon demonstrates what’s possible when ambition is matched with the capacity to deliver at scale”
A CGI image of what the new ‘Brabazon’ new town will look like at the former Filton airfield site north of Bristol(Image: Bromford Housing Association)
The firm building a new town in the north of Bristol has signed a partnership deal with one of the region’s biggest housing associations to make sure at least some of the homes will be classed as ‘affordable’ for people on the housing waiting list.
YTL Developments has struck a deal with Bromford Flagship LiveWest, formerly Bromford Housing Association, which will fund and manage all the affordable homes in the 6,500-home new Brabazon development on the Filton Airfield site.
The deal will secure all the affordable homes stipulated by council planners at each stage of the Brabazon New Town, and it also applies to the ‘West Innovation Arc’, the wider developments across South Gloucestershire.
Brabazon was designated as one of the Government’s first seven ‘new towns’ last year, and the 450-acre site will have 6,500 new homes when it’s completed.
The development on the old Filton Airfield site will also have accommodation blocks for up to 2,000 students, schools, community facilities and 86 acres of green space, and even a three-ace lake – close to the Aviva Arena, being created in the old Brabazon Hangar buildings.
It will be the biggest single creation of social housing in Bristol since the development of the city’s large council estates in places like Hartcliffe, Cadbury Heath, Lawrence Weston and Hillfields in the 1950s and 60s.
“Brabazon demonstrates what’s possible when ambition is matched with the capacity to deliver at scale,” said Robert Nettleton, BFL’s chief executive. “Our partnership with YTL reflects the kind of collaboration needed to support delivery of the government’s 1.5 million homes target and enable long-term growth.
Bromford Flagship LiveWest (BFL) chief executive Robert Nettleton(Image: Bromford Housing Association)
“As an established housing provider in the region, we bring a local understanding and can align new homes with existing places and customers, ensuring growth is coordinated, sustainable and creates the conditions that enable people to thrive,” he added.
BFL is the UK’s largest provider of new affordable homes, and is currently building more than 3,000 homes a year around the country.
After taking over much of South Gloucestershire Council ’s old council housing stock, it is a big presence in the north of Bristol – managing around 10,000 social housing homes in places like Patchway, Little Stoke and Filton.
The deal has been welcomed by metro mayor Helen Godwin. “Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc is such an exciting opportunity for our region,” she said.
READ MORE: Metro Mayor could bypass local councils to order 40,000 new homes in huge Bristol expansionREAD MORE: Brabazon new town must be ‘fresh start on 50 years of neglect’ in transport woes
“This new partnership between BFL and YTL Developments is an important step towards creating new jobs and building more new homes as part of the West of England’s emerging new town, including more affordable homes.
“Our combined authority is proud to be delivering not one but two new train stations for this area, with the Metrobus now serving Brabazon too, and record government funding to build better transport across the West of England.
“We know that people want the right homes built in the right places, with the right services and connections, and that’s what we’re determined to help deliver – working with our local councils and developers like YTL and BFL,” she added.
A CGI of the Propeller Quarter student accommodation
YTL’s director of planning and development is Seb Loyn. “Working with the team at BFL is a great example of a partnership‑led response to national housing ambitions. Brabazon is a major new town of genuine scale and ambition,” he said.
“BFL already has a strong foothold in the region, and this collaboration will allow us to align new delivery with existing communities to ensure we take a smart approach to meeting the regional housing needs,” he added.