Step closer to new town for West

Leaders from across the region have welcomed the New Towns Taskforce’s support for the West Innovation Arc, with the Brabazon development at its heart, becoming a new town.

The West Innovation Arc proposal includes Brabazon, a transformed Bristol Parkway station, and the Bristol & Bath Science Park, connected by sustainable transport.

The taskforce report recommends a dozen locations for new towns, a mix of standalone sites and urban extensions, including here in the West. The government has welcomed the report and will now work to assess each site in more detail over the coming six months, working closely with the combined authority, local councils, YTL, and other partners. The report highlights this opportunity in the West as: “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.”

Together these form the core of the West Innovation Arc, which is identified in the region’s new Growth Strategy as one of the key areas of economic growth potential in the West of England. The Growth Strategy also highlights the importance of the Everyday Economy, including construction, which represents 57% of the West’s jobs. Workers in these areas, the Mayor said on Wednesday, support every aspect of life here but too often go unrecognised – with skills in these sectors essential for our future, including for building new towns.

YTL’s £4 billion investment in the UK is centred on Brabazon, at the heart of the West Innovation Arc – one of the country’s largest brownfield sites, including the former Filton Airfield.

While 6,500 homes; three new schools; and parks, including the largest in the South West for 50 years currently have planning permission; with work underway on a new 17,000 capacity arena*, driving the creation of 30,000 new jobs and contributing £5 billion to the region, designation as a new town would unlock even faster delivery of new homes on the site. 500 new homes there have already been built and moved into, with a new train station already under construction and due to open next year.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“Just this week we launched our Growth Strategy for the West of England. 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 UK 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.”

Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:

“We welcome the recommendation of the New Towns Taskforce to designate the West Innovation Arc, including Brabazon, as a New Town. The West Innovation Arc is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver sustainable growth rooted in innovation and community.

“Working closely with the West of England Mayor and partners, we can unlock new jobs, affordable homes, and vital infrastructure – and, crucially, ensure the benefits are felt across South Gloucestershire. This is about shaping a place that reflects our local identity while building a resilient, world-class city district for the future.

“Aligned with the region’s new Growth Strategy and our emerging Local Plan, soon to go to the Planning Inspector, the West Innovation Arc provides a clear roadmap for delivering sustainable development, economic opportunity, and thriving communities for years to come.”

Colin Skellett, YTL UK Group CEO, said:

“Today’s announcement reflects the excellent collaboration we have in our region to ensure growth and provide opportunity. Working with the WECA Mayor, Helen Godwin, South Gloucestershire and Bristol councils, and the wider community we are confident that we can deliver a really exciting new town, with Brabazon at its heart.

“We are proud to play a central role in the wider regeneration in north Bristol, and see it as 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.”

Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

"We welcome the taskforce's recommendation which represents a ringing endorsement of the strength and potential of our regional economy. The West Innovation Arc presents the chance to deliver the homes, jobs and opportunities that can make a significant difference to the lives of thousands of people. With significant strengths and depth in our skills market, aspiring innovation and a willingness to work collaboratively, Bristol is ready and able to play our part in delivering this exciting opportunity. We look forward to continuing to work with government, WECA, our local authority partners and YTL to deliver a sustainable and prosperous future for our city with a focus on tackling inequality, developing our green city economy and prioritising innovation.”

Large scale projects like the West‘s new town are essential to deliver the government’s ambition of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament (2029). The New Towns Taskforce report ultimately identifies an opportunity for over 40,000 new homes across the West Innovation Arc.

The New Towns Taskforce is an independent expert advisory panel established last year to support the government to deliver the next generation of new towns. Following a call for evidence from across the country, over 100 sites were proposed. Their report, welcomed by government this weekend, recommends the West Innovation Arc be home to one of the government’s dozen new towns.

The new towns programme aims to make a significant contribution to meeting housing need in England, boosting economic growth, spreading opportunity, and supporting thriving communities.

Since taking office in May, Mayor Helen Godwin has signed a new Strategic Place Partnership with Homes England and begun development work towards a Spatial Development Strategy, in collaboration with council leaders, building on their already developed Local Plans.

*Edit: Updated incorrect statistic from 20,000 to 17,000.