Proposed large student accommodation development off the M32 in St Jude’s

Developers have revealed they want to build a large block of student accommodation just off the M32 in St Jude’s, close to the Cabot Circus multi-storey car park.

The development would be the first major step to kick-start the ‘Frome Gateway’ regeneration project, which has been drawn up by the Labour-led city council for the past two years.

Now developer Dandara Living has announced it wants to build on the site of a former factory hire firm on the banks of the River Frome. Dandara is holding a community launch event for local residents to view the plans next week and has set up an online consultation platform, giving people the chance to have their say.

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Dandara’s proposals are fairly vague at this early stage — he hasn’t shared how many students would be housed or how tall the buildings would be, and is seeking people’s views on what else might be part of the development on the ground floor. level.

“We are working with local communities to explore what some of the spaces on the ground floor of the building could be,” said a Dandara spokesman. “At this point, we believe there will be a variety of spaces of different sizes to provide a mix of potential uses.

“These community spaces will sit next to the newly opened river front and outdoor spaces and could become homes for local community groups or businesses,” she added.

The launch event takes place on June 14 at the Jam Jar community space in St Jude’s. Dandara said the plans include new student halls of residence, a new community space or “accessible workshops” as well as opening up access to the River Frome there. The plans also include a bridge over the river linking Eugene Street to Elton Street and the M32 beyond to the north.

Dandara admits it does not own all the land needed to build the bridge, but development at the Alide Hire Services site on Little George Street would open up the possibility on that side of the river.

“We are working with the local community to understand how the development of this site can benefit the area,” said Rachel Allwood, Dandara Living’s director of planning. “There is an exciting vision for the Frome Gateway regeneration area and we are working with the council, local residents, businesses and community groups to start making this a reality.

“The new ground floor spaces on Little George Street could support the local community by becoming homes for local organizations or charities, affordable workspace or a community cafe – we want to find out what would benefit the community most in this location. We also want to know how the local community and visitors to the area would like to use new outdoor spaces, particularly along the riverside.

“The proper integration of students into our communities is important. Bristol needs new student accommodation. Our city’s universities educate thousands of students every year and we need to give them the right place to live. We are working with the city’s universities and the local community here to understand how we do this right,” she added.

The plans would be the first major step in the ‘Frome Gateway’ regeneration project. This aims to sweep post-war light industrial land south of the M32 on both sides of the River Frome in St Jude’s and replace it with a vision for a “vibrant neighbourhood” with around 1,500 new homes, including affordable and student housing, better community spaces, improved green spaces, better river connections and new job opportunities. “The 1,500 new homes include accommodation for 500 students, Dandara Living’s proposals will help deliver a proportion of these student homes,” a spokesman said.

Plans can be viewed and ideas about them can be shared online here. The community launch is on Friday 14th June from 11am to 2pm at The Jam Jar on Little Ann Street in St Jude’s.