Delivering 6,500 high-quality new homes, a 15-acre park and a state-of-the-art carbon neutral entertainment complex, a Bristol brownfield site is set to be brought back to life as the Malaysian-owned YTL Group seeks to create the most sustainable new town in the UK.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, formally launched one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious brownfield developments during a working visit from 14-19 January in the United Kingdom. During his visit to the UK, he will meet senior members of the British Government, including the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer.
The award-winning Brabazon Bristol development is set to transform the historic Filton Airfield site into a vibrant new “15-minute neighbourhood”. The Copenhagen-inspired project will allow people to access the essential services they need – workplaces, schools, shops, public transport, healthcare and green spaces – within a 15-minute radius of their home.
The new development boasts 6,500 high-quality sustainable homes, three new schools and a new urban park, the largest to be built in the South West for more than 50 years.
Central to plans are the YTL Arena Bristol, a 19,500-capacity state-of-the-art arena, conferencing and exhibition space designed to be the most sustainable arena in Europe. YTL Arena Bristol will be carbon-neutral from day one and will be home to world-class events and performances 365 days a year.
The development will include creative office spaces, laboratories, and advanced manufacturing facilities delivering more than 30,000 jobs for the UK economy.
YTL is the largest Malaysian investor into the UK and made its first investment into the UK in 2002 with the acquisition of Wessex Water. Since then, YTL has broadened its investments beyond the water and sewerage sector and ventured into hospitality and real estate.
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Bin Ibrahim said: “As Chair of ASEAN, this year, Malaysia is uniquely positioned to promote regional economic integration, using YTL’s success as a shining example of ASEAN-UK collaboration. Investments by Malaysian businesses into the UK are not just about economic growth, they reflect our commitment to nurturing partnerships that drive innovation, foster prosperity, and contribute to a better world for all.”
Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson OBE said: “Increasing investment is a mission at the heart of this government and will help us deliver long-term, stable growth that supports skilled jobs and raises living standards across the country.
“YTL’s commitment is a huge vote of confidence in the UK. Seeing global investors put billions in the UK economy shows we are an investment destination of choice.”
Executive Chairman of YTL Group, Tan Sri Dato’ Sir Francis Yeoh Sock Ping said: “Our UK businesses are committing to invest £4bn into the country over the next five years. Brabazon is a rare opportunity to re-imagine how best to live, work and play in today’s world whilst ensuring that sustainability is built into the development from conceptualisation. Our expertise in our 70 years as a builder of Malaysia’s infrastructure will inform our strategies and methodologies in building this ambitious project. The strengthened trade agreements and cooperation between Malaysia and the UK will undoubtedly catalyse new partnerships with our supply chains and spur greater investments between the two countries.”
Editors’ Notes:
YTL Developments is an award-winning land and property development company that has a track record of delivering high-quality, sustainable communities. YTL has worked with some of the best masterplan designers and architects in sustainable living in the world, such as Feilden Clegg Bradley, Allies and Morrison, JRDV and Jan Gehl to help deliver the project.
In 2016, YTL Power acquired the disused Filton Airfield and associated Brabazon Hangars just north of Bristol. This 380-acre site is the largest brownfield development site in the Southwest and one of the largest in the whole of the UK. YTL is developing the site into a new town called Brabazon, and the iconic hangars will be turned into a major state-of-the-art arena, conferencing, and entertainment complex.
In 2023, YTL was honoured with the prestigious UK-Malaysia Business of the Year Award at the British-Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) Business Excellence Awards. This pinnacle achievement highlights YTL’s outstanding performance and innovation, solidifying its position as one of the most successful Malaysian companies operating in the UK.
The BMCC Business Excellence Awards celebrate the best of UK and Malaysian companies, recognizing those that demonstrate exceptional achievements and contributions. This accolade not only underscores YTL’s exemplary capabilities but also enhances Malaysia’s reputation and standing within the UK as a partner of innovation and excellence.
In November 2024, YTL obtained planning approval to deliver 6,500 homes, three schools, three hotels, 2,000 student beds, a retirement village, a new railway station and 60 acres of commercial development focused on high tech, aerospace and university facilities. The entertainment complex will include a 19,500-capacity carbon neutral arena, conferencing and exhibition space and a futuristic family entertainment attraction. Discussions are underway with the West of England Mayoral Authority to significantly increase the density of developments to help meet the new UK government’s housing targets and deliver the first of its proposed new towns.
There are currently 300 homes already occupied on the site, with a further 240 under construction. The development has already won a number of prestigious awards for design, build and sustainability. The whole development, with a projected GDV of c.£6 bn, is being planned and delivered by YTL UK Group companies.
Brabazon Phase 1, The Hangar District, won the prestigious “Large Housing Development” award at the Brick Awards, hosted by the Brick Development Association (BDA).