Malaysian investment firm YTL has set up a website [ https://www.ytlarenabristol.co.uk/ ] and released a video promoting its vision for an arena in Filton. The short film comes after Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees announced earlier this month the original city centre Arena Island site would not be home to the concert venue. Instead the land will be used for a ‘mixed development’ which may include a hotel, conference centre, shops, office space and housing.
YTL has rescinded its previous demand of requiring a six month exclusivity contract with Bristol City Council to develop plans for the arena. The company claim no public money will be needed to develop the site and all of the transport measures required – such as a new MetroBus route – have already been costed and planned out by Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils.
YTL say it is ready to set about creating a detailed plan for the site once a key planning hurdle has been passed. Called the sequential planning test, the national policy states inner city site should be given preference for major projects such as the arena. Those who wanted to see the arena remain in the city centre hoped the planning test would block plans for a Filton arena.
However, the Mayor’s preference for using the land for a mixed development could see the north Bristol concert venue passed with little difficulty. YTL has also said it is waiting for the result of a council ‘call in’ on the future of Temple Island before it progresses with its arena plans.
“We are preparing now for the sequential planning test, waiting for the result of the ‘call in’ and seeking confirmation of transport investment and once those various hoops have been jumped through we are looking to press on” Mr Skellett said. “We are determined to do something very Bristolian and very special.”
The Bristol City Council ‘call in’ session will take place on Thursday, September 20, at City Hall.