The new retirement homes at Brabazon, designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios for YTL Developments, have been approved subject to a S106 Agreement.

YTL Developments is transforming the historic former Filton Airfield – birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel – into a thriving new mixed-use neighbourhood for Bristol, known as Brabazon.

The planning application will deliver 239 one and two-bedroom properties at Brabazon specifically designed for later living. The homes will offer residents a property of their own that balances the need to remain independent with the social and health benefits of close community support.

Rachel Sayers, Partner at FCBStudios said:

“The driving aspiration behind our design for the later living properties at Brabazon was to bring the whole community together, creating homes that are both practical and a pleasure to live in.

“This landscape-led proposal features mansion blocks arranged around a central, communal garden and is designed to sit within a wider context of new parks and green spaces that are a feature of the new neighbourhood at Brabazon. The proposal has communal facilities – a restaurant, and wellbeing suite – that strike a balance between fostering a community and facilitating independent living, while the sustainability principles baked into the design should reduce energy, minimising running costs for those on a defined income as well as helping to address the climate crisis.”

Residents will be able to relax in the landscaped grounds, take a walk around a meadow designed to encourage wildlife or enjoy the sunshine from the peaceful roof garden. Internally, the carefully considered communal spaces will include a comfortable lounge in which to play games or to gather with friends, a restaurant and bar to act as a social hub, as well as a library and wellbeing suite with spa facilities and activity rooms.

There will also be flexible facilities for activities and events – such as a boules court and lawns suitable for exercise classes – that are designed to foster the social bonds and sense of community that is central to the vision for Brabazon.

The design is inspired by the style of ‘mansion blocks’ that encourage communities to grow around shared facilities. The brick buildings are fully-accessible, feature a recessed colonnade to the central courtyard, and reflect a continuation of the design style that has proved so popular to date at The Hangar District – the first residential phase at Brabazon. The properties continue to set the standard on sustainability, while generous balconies and picture windows maximise natural light.

The Continuing Care Retirement Community will feature 24/7, flexible on-site support from a highly-trained care team that will be registered with and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Residents will be able to tailor the level of care they require to suit their personal circumstances and needs. The design is based on the principles set out by the Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) and feature fully-integrated call points and assistance buttons to provide complete peace of mind.

Located close to the Aerospace Bristol Museum, the new later living community will be bordered on three sides by green public spaces. To the north-east is the proposed Aerospace Park, to the east is Aerospace Walk and to the south, Garden Walk. Generous landscaped pedestrian walkways will provide links to the new train station at Brabazon, Brabazon Park and the heritage trail through to the new social hub at Hangar 16U. There will also be traffic-free routes the to the shops, cafes and restaurants in the urban heart of Brabazon, making this the perfect place to remain active and stay safe without needing to cross several roads.

Sebastian Loyn, planning and development director, YTL Developments said:

“The changing needs of our ageing society mean that there is increasing demand for specialist housing and care. These homes are designed to enable residents to be more active, more social and more independent in their retirement years. These new properties are part of our commitment to making Brabazon a diverse and inclusive community where young and old alike will love to live.“