New park to be ‘biggest created in five decades’
ANEW public park billed as the biggest created in the South West in 50 years has been announced for Bristol.
The huge urban public park is to be created as part of Bristol’s Brabazon development.
YTL, the Singaporean developer behind the new neighbourhood in the north of the city, has appointed landscape architecture practice Grant Associates to lead on the project.
The 14-acre green space, which will be known as Brabazon Park, is the largest new urban public park to be created in the South West in the past 50 years.
It will be located on the site of the former Filton Airfield – the birthplace of Concorde – and will be part of the mixed-used development that includes a new 17,000-seater arena.
The arena itself, which will transform the Brabazon Hangars into a major music and events venue, is on track to open in 2023.
According to YTL, Brabazon Park will be a “major centrepiece” of the new neighbourhood.
It has given Bath-based Grant Associates a brief to create a “contemporary open space” that will connect the new community with the YTL Arena complex.
The brief also focuses on celebrating the heritage of the former Filton Airfield, as well as creating spaces for art, nature, the community, and cultural events.
Grant Associates said water would be an “important focus” for the new park and would bring the spaces “to life” for people and wildlife. The use of water is linked to a wider sustainability strategy for Brabazon, which includes an integrated approach to sustainable urban drainage.
Keith French, director of Grant Associates, said: “Parks have always
served an important public health function and valuable biodiversity connector in cities – giving us space to exercise and play, spaces for wildlife and a place to reconnect with nature and nurture our physical and mental health.
“These functions are all the more critical now.
“We are really excited about the possibilities for Brabazon Park – it is not only a significant new and inclusive green space for the Brabazon community but also, through the use of water, will help breathe new life into this new city
neighbourhood, the people who enjoy it and wildlife, and will create a vibrant landscape destination associated with the YTL Arena.”
Grant Associates has been closely involved in the vision for Brabazon – one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK – since 2015.
The company has worked with YTL to create the overall landscape strategy and masterplan for the new neighbourhood.
Seb Loyn, planning and development director of YTL Developments, said Grant Associates had been a “key partner” in developing the vision for Brabazon.
He added: “With the new YTL Arena Complex now fully approved, our delivery plans are stepping up a gear.
“Brabazon Park will be the largest new urban public park to be created in the South West in the last 50 years and a key interface between the arena and the new neighbourhood.
“We are therefore delighted to be able to appoint Grant Associates to continue their work on this landmark project for North Bristol.”