Bristol Live readers have expressed their concerns over plans for a towering 10-storey student block in Redcliffe, which has drawn criticism from the Bristol Civic Society and raised fears of overdevelopment and potential negative impacts on the local area. The proposal involves tearing down offices to make way for a new building that will house 282 students.
The consortium behind the project, made up of Boultbee Brooks, Aurum Real Estate, and Oakwood Real Estate, aims to create a contemporary student living space complete with communal areas, a gym, and cinema. A planning application for the site at 63 St Thomas Street has been lodged with the city council by the same consortium.
The proposed building would be C-shaped, featuring two 10-storey blocks and one nine-storey block. However, the Bristol Civic Society has voiced reservations about the project.
They question the need for additional student accommodation and call for improved designs that incorporate affordable housing options within the development. The society also points out concerns about the cramped internal courtyard design, potential privacy issues, and the lack of active uses on side streets that could lead to antisocial behaviour.
In response to these concerns, the planning agents have defended the proposal as sustainable and accessible, highlighting its design sensitivity to the historic context of St Thomas Street and Redcliffe. They’ve made adjustments based on feedback, such as reducing the height of one block and widening the courtyard to enhance resident experience and natural light.
The proposed student block’s location between the new University of Bristol Enterprise Campus and its existing campus adds another layer of significance to the development. The project aims to contribute to the city’s changing landscape while providing quality living spaces for students in a central location.
One reader, CharlesBridge said: “The student economy is stacking a lot of dominos. China has started a stunning property market collapse. £18 trillion of bubble value lost already. Demographics and geopolitics are changing very rapidly. Organic UK birthrates are in free fall. > The question is once the “student economy” implodes, how will overdependent Bristol look?”
Peterbed questions: “Can Bristol cope with all these large blocks of flats, it crosses my mind that Bristol is riddled with old coal mines. Just a thought.”
WW11BABY adds: “We’re told that kids will at last be given the chance of more apprenticeships again, so I couldn’t understand why umpteen blocks (some 20 odd storeys high) are being allowed to be built in central Bristol – but the news this week has been about doing a deal with the EU for a young people, 18-30, travel/study exchange scheme. So Bristol International hub, god help us!”
HartcliffeMan says: “Absolutely sick and tired of developers just wanting to cater to an ever growing number of students. What about the born-and-bred Bristolians? Students come to this city for 3 to 5 years, pay no council tax, create no jobs and are crammed in to the city centre like sardines. Time to stop this continuous pandering to our universities and start thinking about Bristolians who need housing.”
Cheekychap67 thinks: “Developers are in it for the money they are not interested in what you want, vote in the tories or blue labour and you’ll get the same results.”
Whatshisname points out: “Don’t worry, they are installing 142 cycle spaces lol. Building student flats is now a ‘free for all’. It’s akin to the gold rush for builders.”
Longadey59 adds: “Brilliant, more students who don’t bring anything to the local community but keep Deliveroo drivers employed.”
Fadinging says: “Yet more student flats even when media is saying there is a big decline in students arriving.”
Junius1 writes: “This type and location of tower block housing is not suitable for families with children or the elderly with health conditions, so it is supplying the housing needs of a narrow population strand- students or young professionals. It would be useful if the existing building can be repurposed as this would save much carbon emissions from a new concrete and steel structure build.”
6470 exclaims: “More student flats no houses for families just more accommodation turning the city into BEDSIT BRISTOL.”
Paulgc feels: “Until students or their landlords start start paying something to the city all student building should be stopped.”
Redcoat says: “I don’t understand why we need all this student accomodations, when students stop coming to study in this country, there will be no need for it anymore and we’ll be left with empty derelict ugly towers blocks spoiling our views and putting Bristol in the shade.”
Hutts believes: “When the supply of students dries up the developers will get planning permission to turn the buildings into luxury flats. The buildings are designed to facilitate a later conversion. It’s all ready happening in Cardiff.”
Bristol_Girl comments: “Clearly this will get approved as it is more student accommodation – students who contribute zero to the financial running of this city, whilst the rest of us continue to pick up the bill for the services they consume. Everyone is fed up of it.”
As Bristol continues to grow and change, finding a balance between providing for its student population and tackling wider housing issues is a crucial challenge that needs careful thought and community involvement. Join in the conversation HERE or in the comments below.