Plans to transform a former Government building in Bristol into new homes and offices have been given the green light.
Property firm Telereal Trillium was granted planning permission by the city council to redevelop the old Department for Work and Pensions offices and driving test centre in Brislington into a new mixed neighbourhood.
The site on Flowers Hill, which was vacated in early 2021, will include 160 new homes including affordable housing, a children’s play area and open green spaces.
The site also includes a former nuclear bunker known as Bristol War Room, which has been abandoned for a number of years. Built in 1953, underneath the Grade II listed building, it was designed to withstand an atomic bomb.
According to Telereal Trillium, the approval will allow the War Room to be re-used for commercial business or community use, while preserving its historical interest.
The developers are also planning to build a pedestrian and cycle link between Flowers Hill and Hungerford Road and make a financial contribution to public transport improvements, including funds for the construction of an outbound bus lane on the A4 Bath Road.
Sam Rosenkranz, asset manager at Telereal Trillium, said the redevelopment of Flowers Hill represented a “great opportunity”. He said: "[It will] open up the site and bring it back to life through regeneration and investment, whilst securing future growth and housing delivery for Brislington.
“We want to thank those who worked with us from the city council, community groups, and members of the local community who provided valuable feedback during the progression of the application. We look forward to seeing this development being delivered.”
Telereal Trillium was supported in bringing the planning application forward by Bristol-based consultants Conor Flanagan and Luke Challenger of Black Box Planning; Andrea Kellegher of Turley Strategic Communications; and urban designer Chris Gentle from Roberts Limbrick.
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