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Bristol City Council has approved plans to transform the iconic Brabazon hangars into an arena.

The authority’s development control committee decided to follow the recommendations of council officers and approved the scheme at a meeting this afternoon (Wednesday, March 4).

The 17,000 capacity arena will be the third largest in the UK once it is built and is expected to attract world-class entertainment.

(Image: Grimshaw Architects)

Malaysian investment firm YTL applied to build the arena complex in the Brabazon hangars just south of the railway line on Filton Airfield.

It also asked for permission to build a Wembley Way-style pedestrian bridge over the railway line, which will act as the main entrance to the venue.

Councillors approved both the arena at the Brabazon hangars and the pedestrian bridge at today’s meeting.

They also voted to make no objections to two linked applications which will be decided by South Gloucestershire Council because they relate to parts of the scheme that sit within that local authority’s boundary.

Those applications describe the demolition of existing buildings around the hangar, alterations to the Charlton Road / West Way road junction and temporary car parking provision.

As well as the arena in the central hangar the plans also include transforming the other two hangars into a ‘Festival Hall’ and ‘The Hub’.

Festival Hall would be a flat floor event space for conventions, exhibitions and working in tandem with the arena to attract large scale events.

Meanwhile, The Hub, would be the 365-day part of the venue and would include a visitor attraction, leisure, workspace and food and drink.

Plans for an arena in Filton have proved controversial since they were first revealed in 2018 as a replacement for plans for an arena on Temple Island, a popular city centre site which mayor Marvin Rees ruled out.

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But the location of the new site was not much debated at today’s meeting, other than in relation to its impact on transport and traffic.

Cllr Steve Smith (Conservative) said he was among those who had wanted the arena to be in the city centre, but “we have to accept that that ship has sailed”.

He added that the designs for the Filton scheme are “so much better than we would have had at Temple Island”.

(Image: Grimshaw Architects)

Cllr Clive Stevens (Green) was also positive, but said the arena’s inevitable success was also the source of his greatest concerns, which were around transport and the “significant impact” the venue will have on local highways.

“This is surely going to be a great attraction,” he said, “and therein lies a weakness”. He abstained in the vote.

Cllr Fabian Breckels (Labour) called the plans “a very Bristol solution to providing an arena because we are re-purposing an iconic building in the city”.

“This is something we need to embrace because we do need an arena,” he said.

“But I would like regular reports back to this committee so we know how things are going particularly in reference to transport.”

Lawrence Fallon, the council’s transport development manager, told the meeting that building an arena would inevitably mean more traffic, but that an extensive transport package would be put in place to lessen the impact.

The package includes five park and rides with a total of nearly 2,000 parking spaces, shuttle buses, and enhancements to bus and rail services.

(Image: Grimshaw Architects)

Mr Fallon said that £5.4m worth of infrastructure was needed for the scheme to be acceptable and mitigate the impact on congestion on local highways.

Of that £3.65m is being requested from the developer YTL. The remaining £1.74m will be paid for jointly by Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and West of England Combined Authority.

At least 76 conditions are attached to the application.

Commenting after the meeting, Andrew Billingham, managing director of YTL Arena Bristol, said: “We’re delighted that the council has entrusted us with this brilliant opportunity to put Bristol on the world stage.

“It is a huge step forward for our plans.

“We’re incredibly grateful to all those who have supported us and encouraged us on this journey.”

Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees said: “This is fantastic news for Bristol.

“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.

(Image: David Betts Photography)

“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.”

The council has decided the plans should now be referred to the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State will then decide whether he wants to make the final decision on the scheme, or if he is happy to leave it in the hands of the local authority.

Even if the Secretary of State does decide to call-in the decision he may also end up agreeing with the council’s decision.

YTL plans to open the doors to the public in early 2023.