More than 350 sustainable homes and employment space proposed at historical site near Bristol's Cabot Circus

The planning application has been submitted by PLATFORM_, a leading build-to-rent (BTR) developer, investor, and operator and includes the redevelopment of a historic brownfield site into 352 BTR apartments and 6,000 sqft of employment space.

The 1.8 acre site sits within the Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework, just a five-minute walk from Cabot Circus, and operated as a sawmill for over 100 years.

The proposed development would create a range of high-quality studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom rental apartments, 20% of which will be available at Local Housing Allowance affordable rents and 10% will be designed for wheelchair accessibility.

On-site facilities include a gym, co-working space, cinema room, private dining room, children’s play area, a dog grooming facility, allotments, and two rooftop terraces spanning 5,000 sqft, offering panoramic views of the city and spaces for relaxation.

Four double height, BREEAM Excellent commercial spaces have also been proposed at the site, with local makers, creatives and small businesses in mind.

Sustainability is at the heart of the proposal which will feature solar panels, intensive green roofs and sustainable urban drainage, as well as ensure each apartment is at least EPC B rated.

70% of the site will be dedicated to green spaces, walkways, play areas and community spaces available to the public, opening a section of the River Frome that has been been inaccessible to the public for over a century and providing a generous new riverside park for everyone to enjoy.

Bat bricks and bird boxes will also be installed, and are expected to contribute to a huge biodiversity net gain of over 3,400%.

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More than 500 cycle spaces, multiple electric vehicle charging points, and a car club space will also be installed as part of the proposal to promote active and sustainable travel options.

The scheme is expected to create over 1,300 jobs throughout the construction and operational phases, boosting local employment, apprenticeships and supply chains, and adding £75m direct Gross Value Added (GVA) and around £100m indirect GVA to the local economy.

Jean-Marc Vandevivere, CEO at PLATFORM_, said: “Bristol currently has just four operational BTR developments, meaning the provision of high-quality, purpose-built rental accommodation is far below that of other leading regional cities like Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

“Our proposed development opens up a historic city-centre site that has been inaccessible to the public for over a century, retaining part of its heritage while offering unmatched amenities, accessibility and sustainability.

“Working with an expert project team, we have developed a unique and flexible residential offering that meets the needs of modern renters while creating a truly inclusive community.

“We have worked very collaboratively with teams across Bristol City Council, the Environment Agency, neighbours and other interested parties to create our vision for the site. The submission of this planning application represents an important milestone in the project, crystallising the design team’s hard work over the last year.

“We are confident that Bristol City Council will share our vision which offers significant social and economic value for the local economy and makes a significant contribution towards their housing delivery targets.”

Sam Gregory, a local business owner who operates six pubs across Bristol including the Crown Tavern located near to the PLATFORM_ site, said: "St Jude’s is a fantastic location, but it urgently needs investment and regeneration.

“We fully support the proposals put forward by PLATFORM_ which will greatly enhance the area by adding high-quality, accessible homes and creating excellent walking and cycling links to the wider city, as well as open up the waterfront.

"Crucially, these plans will also benefit the local hospitality sector, driving more visitors to businesses like the Crown Tavern and providing us with the opportunity to grow and invest further in the community."