A plan for another large scale development of student flats has been given the go-ahead in central Bristol, with buildings up to ten storeys high housing up to 283 students.
The plan is for an empty office building close in Redcliffe – a stone’s throw from St Mary Redcliffe Church and on land owned by the church – to be demolished completely and three tower blocks built in a U-shape footprint in its place.
The development given approval will be at 63 St Thomas Street, on the road towards Bristol Bridge opposite St Mary Redcliffe Church. The previous medieval old city streets were swept away here by the blitz and the post-war city clearances, and a pharmaceutical warehouse was built on the corner of St Thomas Street and Mitchell Lane in the 1950s, which was later converted into offices.
The plan has been proposed by Alec French Architects and ROK Planning and will see 133 en-suite student bedrooms in ‘cluster flats’ of between five and nine students each, another 149 studio flats and a total of 12 accessible student rooms across the development as a whole.
The freehold of the site is owned by the St Mary Redcliffe Church Lands Charity, which has backed the development.
Plans for a new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development on St Thomas Street in Redcliffe – the site at the moment(Image: Google Maps)
A spokesperson for Alec French Architects said the development would ‘help ease pressure on the city’s private housing stock’.
“The mixed-use development aims to create a contemporary student living experience with flexible community space on the ground floor, a courtyard, two roof terraces, student common rooms, lounges, a gym, as well as 142 bicycle spaces,” he said.
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“The state-of-the-art building has been carefully designed to reflect the historic and emerging character of St Thomas Street and the wider Redcliffe area, which is undergoing major redevelopment,” he added.
A director at the firm, Robin Gray, said the development was ‘much-needed’ and would brbring economic benefits to the area, as the students arrive and start spending money.
Plans for a new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development on St Thomas Street in Redcliffe(Image: Alec French Architects)
“This much-needed new development will provide top quality student accommodation in a highly sustainable location close to university campuses,” Mr Gray said.
“It will also help relieve pressure on the local private rental housing market, reducing the number of houses in multiple occupation, and make a positive contribution to housing land supply.
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“There will also be economic benefits for Bristol, with greater student spending in the local area and the creation of new jobs associated with the construction and operation of the new building and facilities.
“The replacement of a vacant and outdated office block with a building of higher architectural quality will greatly improve the character of the area as well,” he added.
Robin Gray, from Alec French Architects(Image: Alec French Architects)
A company called 63 St Thomas Street Bristol Ltd has been set up to take the development forward. The firm’s spokesperson David Caine said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for this important student accommodation scheme in a highly sustainable and well-connected part of Bristol.
“The development will transform a vacant office building into high-quality homes for students, helping to meet identified need while supporting the city’s wider regeneration objectives.
“We would like to thank the professional team and all those involved in the project for their collaboration and support throughout the process. Working together, we have developed a scheme that responds positively to its context, prioritises sustainability, and delivers an excellent living environment for future residents. We now look forward to bringing the project forward and contributing to the long-term vitality of the Redcliffe area,” he added.
Plans for a new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development on St Thomas Street in Redcliffe(Image: Alec French Architects)
The plan has been given permission by city council planning officers using delegated powers, without the application going before councillors at the development control committee at City Hall. The developers will have to pay just under £900,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy, which will go into the council pot to spend on local infrastructure projects.
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