The Ground is Broken at Brabazon

Local councillors, community leaders and local businesses all came together on Tuesday 7th January for an event to mark the start of construction.

With the necessary enabling works having been completed in 2019, Toby Savage was joined by the leaders of Filton, Patchway and Almondsbury councils to celebrate as the first foundations are dug on what will ultimately be a £2 billion project.

The event also featured community leaders, including the CEOs of Southern Brooks Community Partnership and the Southmead Development Trust, while the local business community was represented by staff from Airbus, Network Rail and GWR.

Network Rail is building a new train station within walking distance of the new homes at Brabazon that will connect to Bristol Temple Meads in less than 15 minutes.

Speaking to guests outside the historic listed aircraft hangar 16U, Cllr Savage said:

“Filton Airfield is steeped in history. Today this part of South Gloucestershire is a world-leading hub for engineering and innovation.

“The new neighbourhood at Brabazon will provide the homes, offices and infrastructure to allow that amazing commercial cluster to continue to grow."

He added: "This is a major investment into our local community. The project will create new homes and new opportunities and our shared vision is that it will be a place that all local workers, residents and visitors will feel proud of.”

There will be 278 new homes for sale within the first phase of this new urban community, which has been designed by globally renowned local architects, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The firm is perhaps best known for its work on Bath Abbey and the headquarters of the National Trust. It is one of only a handful of firms to have won the industry’s most coveted award, the Stirling Prize.

The range of one and two-bedroom apartments, and two, three and four-bedroom houses feature generous rooms and large windows, with some properties boasting soaring double-height spaces. Set on the edge of a new public park, and arranged among tree-lined avenues and an open square, the first phase at Brabazon aims to set a new standard for quality development in the South West.

This first phase is just the start of the transformation of the former Airfield: over the next 20 years, Brabazon is set to become one of the South West’s most exciting new neighbourhoods.

Connected to Bristol and beyond by new public transport links, and home to innovative businesses, vibrant independent shops, creative cafes and restaurants, it will offer all the energy and edge of city living. Yet, the new library, schools, health centre and sports facilities, all set amongst landscaped public squares and parkland, will ensure that it remains a comfortable and characterful community.

Jon McDiarmid, Sales & Marketing Director at YTL Developments, said:

“The former Filton Airfield was the birthplace of Concorde. We want to make sure that Brabazon lives up to that legacy.

“The iconic aircraft that were built here were known for their considered design details, timeless styling, and cutting-edge technology. Our aim is that people will feel the same way about these new homes.

“Our vision is to create a thriving new neighbourhood for North Bristol so it’s very special to be joined by leaders from across the local community to mark this major milestone as we dig the first foundations.

The start of construction at Brabazon is just the latest in a series of exciting announcements that are shaping the future of North Bristol.

Since the Autumn, visitors have been flocking to the area to try out The Wave, the newly-opened inland surfing lake that is one of the most exciting new leisure attractions in the South West. Then in November, YTL Developments submitted a planning application to transform the historic Brabazon Hangars into a supersonic new Arena Complex for Bristol.