'Signature' development Plans for 28-storey student housing block

A "SIGNATURE building" planned in front of the Cabot Circus car park will be a 28-storey student accommodation block.

- Angus MCINTYRE

The shopping centre's owners have unveiled more details and drawings of the massive landmark, which would dominate the view as people come off the M32 into Bristol city centre.

Designs released yesterday showed plans for the huge octagonal tower, the showpiece of the planned Cabot Gate redevelopment, to be built on land on one side of the entrance to the shopping centre’s main car park.

According to documents since submitted to Bristol City Council, the tower could hold up to 500 students. Another building, on the opposite side of the entrance, is planned to be eight storeys high and may be used for even more student accommodation, or a 150-bed hotel or “co-living” space.

Hammerson, which owns the shopping centre in a 50:50 joint venture with global investment behemoth AXA IM, wants to transform the “underused” space in front of the Cabot Circus car park.

Historic England has raised concerns about the scale of the proposal.

The site of the proposed development is mainly occupied by Enterprise Car Rental at present. The brownfield site previously had planning permission for offices, but that lapsed.

Along with the two main buildings, Hammerson is also proposing to build a new community space and a cafe.