en.Wedoany.com Reported - Independent housebuilder Dandara has secured detailed planning permission to build 252 new homes in Fishponds, Bristol, UK. The project, part of Bristol City Council's Atlas Place masterplan for the Central Fishponds area, will offer a mix of one, two, three, and four-bedroom houses and apartments.
The former industrial site, previously occupied by Graphic Packaging International—which relocated in 2023 after over 100 years of operation in Fishponds—will be transformed into a new residential community centered around landscaped green public open spaces and a play area. The entire development will see over 150 new trees planted and a cycle loop built through the center of the project to improve connectivity, with direct links to the wider cycling and walking network, including the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.
Bristol's population is estimated to have grown by over 11% in the last decade, potentially exceeding 500,000 residents by 2032. Housing construction has struggled to keep pace, leading to affordability challenges and rising rents across the city. Construction is expected to begin in late summer this year, with the first homes anticipated to be ready for occupancy in 2027. Under the planning agreement, Dandara will contribute approximately £430,000 towards local road and public transport improvements.
William Bishop, Land Director at Dandara, stated that Dandara worked closely with the council, stakeholders, and the project team throughout the planning process to ensure the delivered development enhances the Fishponds area, serving both new residents and the local community. He believes the development will attract a diverse range of homebuyers and contribute to alleviating the city's housing shortage.
James Snelgar, Technical Director at Dandara, noted that Bristol needs well-designed homes. This approval is a significant milestone for the project, paving the way for the regeneration of the former Graphic Packaging site. He stated that the project is not just about building houses, but about creating a place that serves local people, respects the area's heritage, and supports the city's long-term growth. The project will also create new construction jobs and, in partnership with the council, provide employment and apprenticeship opportunities to local residents.
The Fishponds development will provide cyclists and pedestrians with direct access to the Bristol to Bath Railway Path, as well as convenient connections to the city center, the M32 motorway, and Fishponds High Street. Sustainability has been integrated from the early stages of the project. All homes will be fully electric, equipped with air source heat pumps and built to higher energy efficiency standards. As part of site preparation, 100% of materials from the demolition contractor have been recycled, with some materials being reused on-site within the new development.
Bishop added that sites of this scale in central Bristol are rare and require significant work to unlock. The city's complex planning and technical environment highlights the importance of doing regeneration well. Atlas Place represents a significant opportunity to contribute to local housing needs while respecting the area's history.
