Plans for arena on former Filton Airfield approved

The boss of YTL Arena has said that he is “absolutely delighted” that the historic Brabazon hangars can now be transformed into Bristol’s new entertainment complex after councillors approved the ambitious scheme.

“We are thrilled that the council has entrusted us with this superb opportunity to do all of Bristol proud,” said Andrew Billingham.

“We will deliver an arena that everybody wants to go to. I want to thank everybody who has supported us.

“It has been a momentous effort and we look forward to the next step. We have to drive on now to get this venue open as quickly as possible.”

………………………………

Bristol24/7 relies on your support to fund our independent journalism and social impact projects. Become a member and enjoy exclusive perks from just £5 per month.

………………………………

The hangars on the edge of the former Filton Airfield will be the home of the new 17,000-capacity arena after plans were given the go-ahead by Bristol councillors on Wednesday.

It will become one of the biggest arenas in the UK and also one of the most sustainable, but the decision will still be referred to the secretary of state for final approval,

Some years after the proposals were barely more than a whispered rumour for most, YTL’s vision to create a “world-class entertainment complex”, incorporating an arena, event space, retail, food and drink outlets, and office units, has been voted through by Bristol City Council planning committee members.

During a three and-and-a-half-hour meeting, councillors examined a total of four applications to cover the change of use of the hangars, demolition of additional buildings, construction of a pedestrian bridge over the Henbury Loop railway line, alterations to the Charlton Road and West Way road junction, and temporary car parking provision.

The latter two will ultimately be decided by South Gloucestershire Council, as it crosses the authority boundary.

Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, who scrapped his predecessor George Ferguson’s plans for an arena on Temple Island, called the decision “fantastic news for Bristol”.

He said: “As a city, we will have one of the biggest and most sustainable arenas in the country bringing fantastic entertainment and brilliant opportunities for local people and businesses.

“It will also be a huge boost to our city and regional economy, attracting visitors from the wider region and the rest of the UK. All built and run without a penny being spent by the public purse.

“I would like to thank YTL for their significant, long-term commitment to Bristol. They are bringing a landmark venue to the city re-using existing buildings and are leading by example showing how investors can be part of Bristol’s growth and success.”

What a show inside the YTL Arena could look like – photo: YTL

Billingham promised his team is 100 per cent committed to building a “world class venue for Bristol”.

He told the meeting: “The YTL complex will be much more than an arena. It will be a 365-day venue…

“Other cities continue to benefit from this huge growth [in the entertainment industry] and Bristol is missing out.

“We will operate the world’s first net-zero carbon arena and the YTL complex will be a beacon for this great city.”

The proposals gained support from a number of organisations, including Destination Bristol, Bristol Hoteliers Association and Business West.

But others lodged their opposition, with Jerome Thomas, a Green councillor for Clifton, slamming the transport measures as “inadequate”, and arguing “the level of congestion simply too great”.

He added: “It’s very unclear how the proposed numbers will not bring the motorway network to a complete standstill.”

Mark Wright, Lib Dem councillor for Hotwells & Harbourside, argued: “It’s not acceptable to me to have the economy of Sough Gloucestershire boosted to the detriment of people in Bristol.”

Bristol Parks Forum also raised an objection in the wake of Bristol declaring a climate and ecological emergency.

The plans received a total of 130 comments: 119 from local residents and businesses. Of these, 99 residents wrote to support plans, as did 12 businesses. 14 residents lodged objections.

Darren Jones, MP for the constituency in which the arena could be built, called the decision “welcome news”.

He said: “The majority of my constituents in Bristol North West support the proposed YTL Arena which is stimulating wider development including transport upgrades.

“We have to keep our eye on getting the transport infrastructure right but this is great news for Bristol.”

Main photo: YTL

Read more: ‘YTL Arena will be a complex Bristol can be proud of’