Plan unveiled for second highest tower block in Bristol - on site of NCP car park

Plans to demolish the NCP Rupert Street car park in the city centre and replace it with a 21-storey tower including up to 300 student rooms have been unveiled.

Although not yet a formal planning application, a request has been submitted to Bristol City Council by Pegasus Group on behalf of Luxembourg-based PBSA Group Holdings S.a.r.l and joint applicant CP Co 3 Ltd. As well as the 498-space multi-storey car park, the site currently includes two ground floor retail units occupied by Evans Cycles and Professional Music Technology.

Details of the possible development have been divulged after a request for a ‘screening opinion’ to see if an Environmental Impact Assessment is required for the proposed demolition of the eight-storey car park and to redevelop the site.

The redeveloped site would include a replacement public car park with 412 spaces, ground floor retail and commercial uses, purpose-built shared living and student accommodation. Shared living means residents using the same facilities such as toilets and kitchens.

The applicant proposes the submission of a full planning application which will comprise a building up to a maximum of 21 storeys. The development would feature up to 450 car parking spaces, 3,225 sq ft of commercial space, up to 300 co-living units and 300 student rooms.

The tallest building in the city centre is the recently-opened 26-storey Castle View Park. It is followed by the 19-storey Castlemead office block.

The supporting document from the applicant says: “The proposals ensure the provision of high quality, modern accommodation units in a sustainable setting to support the needs of a range of social and demographic groups within the local and wider area.”

The applicant expects to receive a response to the screening request from the council within three weeks. It can be viewed by using the reference 22/05752/SCR on the city council’s planning portal.