The government has thrown its support behind the Brabazon development, as part of a series of new towns being built across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.
Touted as one of the 'highest quality developments in the whole of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ', Brabazon new town will be at the heart of a corridor of connected developments in South Gloucestershire known as the West Innovation Arc.
This extends from Brabazon in the west, where the new Bristol Arena is set to be built, to the Bristol and Bath Science Park in the east. The 'New Town' status will unlock access to Government support, speeding up development and investment in infrastructure, according to officials.
This is seen as crucial in driving growth in sectors such as aerospace and engineering which already employ thousands of people across the region. Brabazon, the transformation of the historic former Filton Airfield in north Bristol, is being delivered by YTL º£½ÇÊÓƵ Group.
It already has planning permission for 6,500 new homes, expected to create 30,000 new jobs and contribute £5bn social and economic value to the region.
It also has the potential to go even further, delivering "up to 25,000 homes" eventually, according to a statement issued by YTL in response to the New Town announcement, reports .
The proposals outline how significant enhancements to public transport infrastructure will enable this ambitious project to succeed. Over £100m is already being committed to upgrade local transport links, featuring a new railway station that will connect Brabazon to Bristol Temple Meads in under 15 minutes, whilst a dedicated metrobus service will operate directly through Brabazon, and the new settlement will be networked with pedestrian routes and cycling infrastructure.
Construction is already progressing, with over 500 homes completed and inhabited, and £400m committed by YTL, with the developer asserting that Brabazon will emerge as a "thriving new town, designed around people, nature and opportunity: the best place in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ to live, work and play".
Seb Loyn, director of planning and development at YTL Developments, said: "We are proud that Brabazon has been included. With work already underway this gives us a head start as one of the country's flagship new towns.
"This designation is a vote of confidence in the vision we share with our partners and the community: to build a place with a soul, where culture, green space and opportunity come together. This designation gives us fresh momentum to deliver a thriving new town for Bristol and the South West, one that will stand as a model for sustainable growth across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ."
The New Towns announcement surfaced prior to Labour's party conference, with Housing Secretary Steve Reed vowing to "do whatever it takes to get Britain building". Development of 12 new towns will proceed, following recommendations from the Government's New Towns Taskforce report, released on Sunday morning.
Construction priorities during the current Parliament are likely to focus on Tempsford in Bedfordshire, Leeds South Bank, and Crews Hill in north London, which Labour has described as "most promising sites". Each of the dozen new settlements will feature a minimum of 10,000 homes, potentially delivering 300,000 houses collectively across England.
Within the West of England area, the report emphasised "a corridor of connected development in South Gloucestershire, across Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc; building in one of the highest productivity areas in the country with a high value research, advanced engineering and technology economy".
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said: "The West Innovation Arc, with Brabazon at its heart, is one of the best investment opportunities in the country right now, so I'm delighted to see our part of the world recommended for one of 12 new towns across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ that would further drive economic growth and help tackle the housing crisis now and in the future.
"The extra government support that would come with having a new town in our region would help us deliver the right homes in the right places, with the services and infrastructure that local people deserve. This growth zone is one of the guiding stars of the West's future, as we chart the course to an economy that works for everyone, where we call all contribute to, and share in, our region's success."
The heads of South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council have also expressed their approval of the announcement.
As reported by BristolLive in July, plans for a significant eight-storey office block as part of the Brabazon development were approved. YTL has received permission for the latest proposals, submitted in April, which include a ticket office for the new train station near the Bristol Arena.
