![\"Plans](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_TCBR310326StThomasBRIJPG.jpg\")
<\/p>\nA 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.<\/p>\n
The plan is for an empty office building close in Redcliffe – a stone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The plan has been proposed by Alec French Architects and ROK Planning and will see 133 en-suite student bedrooms in \u2018cluster flats\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
The freehold of the site is owned by the St Mary Redcliffe Church Lands Charity, which has backed the development.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Plans for a new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development on St Thomas Street in Redcliffe – the site at the moment(Image: Google Maps)<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Alec French Architects said the development would \u2018help ease pressure on the city\u2019s private housing stock\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: ‘Still a shortage’ of student accommodation in Bristol as new development launches<\/a>READ MORE: The pros and cons of Bristol’s university boom as huge influx of students imminent<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n A director at the firm, Robin Gray, said the development was \u2018much-needed\u2019 and would brbring economic benefits to the area, as the students arrive and start spending money.<\/p>\n Plans for a new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development on St Thomas Street in Redcliffe(Image: Alec French Architects)<\/p>\n \u201cThis much-needed new development will provide top quality student accommodation in a highly sustainable location close to university campuses,\u201d Mr Gray said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Fight to save ‘best view in Bristol’ underway as huge tower block threatens<\/a>READ MORE: South Bristol’s tallest building – everything you need to know about the plan<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThere 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Robin Gray, from Alec French Architects(Image: Alec French Architects)<\/p>\n A company called 63 St Thomas Street Bristol Ltd has been set up to take the development forward. The firm\u2019s spokesperson David Caine said: \u201cWe are delighted to have secured planning permission for this important student accommodation scheme in a highly sustainable and well-connected part of Bristol.<\/p>\n \u201cThe development will transform a vacant office building into high-quality homes for students, helping to meet identified need while supporting the city\u2019s wider regeneration objectives.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Plans for a new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation development on St Thomas Street in Redcliffe(Image: Alec French Architects)<\/p>\n 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 \u00a3900,000 in Community Infrastructure Levy, which will go into the council pot to spend on local infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n![\"Plans](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_TCBR310326StThomasBRI_05.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Robin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_TCBR310326StThomasBRI_04.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Plans](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_TCBR310326StThomasBRI_02.jpg\")
<\/p>\n