Plans for an 18-storey apartment tower in Bristol city centre have been altered to decrease the amount of shared spaces. The co-living block, set to replace the Premier Inn on the Bearpit roundabout, will now only feature shared spaces on the top two floors.
Bristol City Council granted developers permission to modify the plans for the tower block, increasing the number of studio rooms from 132 to 150 and eliminating balconies. Each compact studio room will include a small kitchen and bathroom.
Adjacent to the tower block will be an even taller building housing student flats, standing at 28 storeys high. The student flats remain unchanged from the previous plans approved in March last year.
The development control A committee voted to approve the changes to the co-living block on Tuesday, March 4. They initially considered the changes in January, deferring a decision due to concerns about the impact of the loss of shared amenity spaces.
However, planning officers advised them that they would struggle to refuse permission on this basis.
Oliver d’Erlanger, planning director at Olympian Real Estate, said: “The experts who operate successful co-living buildings have advised us to consolidate the small amenity spaces to large shared spaces. This approach is proven to work much better for residents. The changes will also see an increase in the number of affordable homes.”
Initially, the design included shared living space on every floor but alterations mean extra studio bedrooms will be introduced, with larger communal facilities occupying the top two levels. These communal areas are set to feature private offices, yoga and fitness studios, a co-working space, plus a communal kitchen and dining room.
While the studio bedrooms will be fitted with compact kitchens and bathrooms, and are on the smaller side compared to minimum space standards for self-contained flats, planning officers are incorporating the extensive shared living areas into their assessments, despite these still not meeting minimum shared house size standards. Co-living, as a new housing option, lacks locally defined standards.
Green Councillor Ellie Freeman said: “This is a tweak to a previous application. We may have our own concerns but people make choices, and if they choose to live in this then hopefully they’re going to with their eyes open and they understand what it’s all about.”
Labour Councillor Al Al-Maghrabi said: “Bristol is in a housing crisis and we need those extra homes. This helps to prevent urban sprawl and they have worked to make sure there are good transport links. The communal areas have gyms and yoga classes, and I actually think it’s great.”
Six councillors backed the decision, with two opposing, and one abstaining. Meanwhile, the old Premier Inn is already being torn down to make way for the co-living scheme.
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