A ceremony has been held to mark the start of construction on the first homes at Brabazon, the new neighbourhood being built by YTL Developments on the site of the former Filton Airfield.

The event, on Tuesday 7th January, was attended by Cllr Toby Savage, leader of South Gloucestershire Council.

With the necessary enabling works having been completed in 2019, Cllr Savage was joined by the leaders of Filton, Patchway and Almondsbury councils to celebrate as the first foundations were dug on what will ultimately be a £2 billion project.

Also attending were local community leaders, including the CEOs of Southern Brooks Community Partnership and the Southmead Development Trust, while the local business community was represented by staff from Airbus and Network Rail.

Subject to funding and regulatory approval for the MetroWest Phase 2 project to reopen the Henbury Line to passenger traffic, Network Rail will be building a new station within walking distance of the new homes at Brabazon.

Cllr Savage commented:

“Filton Airfield is steeped in history. Today this part of South Gloucestershire is a world-leading hub for engineering and innovation. The new neighbourhood at Brabazon will provide the homes, offices and infrastructure to allow that amazing commercial cluster to continue to grow.”

“This is a major investment into our local community. The project will create new homes and new opportunities and our shared vision is that it will be a place that all local workers, residents and visitors will feel proud of.”

There will be 278 homes within the first phase of this new urban community, which aims to set a new standard for quality development in the region.

More: First homes expected to go on sale in autumn 2020 »

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Discount retailer Lidl GB has announced that its new store on Hayes Way in Patchway is to open on Thursday 5th December.

Plans for a new supermarket at the Charlton Hayes site were first aired in October 2017, ahead of a round of informal public consultation. A planning application was made in November of the same year and planning permission was finally granted by South Gloucestershire Council in February 2019.

Customers are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8am and will be offered the chance to sample some of Lidl’s award winning products throughout the day, along with exclusive deals and offers on selected products for the first week of opening.

The new supermarket forms part of the company’s ongoing expansion and regeneration plans across Great Britain and has created up to 40 new jobs for the local community. The store has a 1,325sqm sales area and features facilities such as an in-store bakery, a customer toilet, baby changing facilities and 158 car parking spaces including 2 electric vehicle rapid charging points. The store construction also incorporates 600 solar panels reducing the store’s predicted energy consumption by 44 percent.

Lidl GB’s regional head of property, Glen Stidever, commented:

“We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Patchway. We have received excellent support from many local residents who currently have to travel out of Patchway, or Charlton Hayes, to complete their weekly food shop. We have also worked closely with South Gloucestershire Council to design a store befitting to its surroundings, including taking design inspiration from a neighbouring heritage aircraft hangar, and constructing artwork designed by Bruce Williams depicting a Concorde in flight at the pedestrian entrance to the site.”

“It is great for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award winning products to the local community.”

The opening of the Lidl store in Patchway comes just 20 months after the German supermarket group opened an outlet in the former B&Q building in Fox Den Road, Stoke Gifford.

More: Map showing location of the new store »

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The first major construction contract to transform the historic former Filton Airfield into a thriving new neighbourhood has been awarded to a West Country firm Vertase FLI, based in Portishead.

The historic former airfield – the birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel – is set to become a new urban community, known as Brabazon. Vertase FLI will carry out the necessary enabling works so that construction can begin later this autumn.

The first phase of new homes at Brabazon, to be built on a parcel of land close to the Trust Ford car dealership on Hayes Way, have been designed by Stirling Prize-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. The architecture of the 278 new properties reflects the heritage of the site, with the rooflines at Brabazon designed to echo the profile of an airplane’s tail-fin while also maximising light for the homes’ energy-efficient solar panels.

The announcement of the first contract by YTL Developments comes almost exactly 70 years after the Brabazon – the visionary aircraft from which the new neighbourhood takes its name – made its first flight. The Brabazon first took off from Filton Airfield on 4th September 1949, in the process testing new technologies that paved the way for modern commercial aviation as we know it today. Brabazon is designed to live up to that legacy, creating a place for the next generation to live, work and thrive.

The works entail the excavation of over 18,000 cubic metres of earth, weighing over 38,000 tonnes. That’s equivalent to the weight of 300 Concordes. Vertase FLI has designed the works to be as sustainable as possible, ensuring that all of the excavated material will be reused on site.

More: First new homes expected to go on sale in late 2020 &raquo

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Television favourite Fred Dinenage MBE – whose career has spanned over five decades – delighted local retirees with tales from his time on screen when he attended the official opening of McCarthy & Stone’s Hamilton House Retirement Living development in Charlton Hayes on 10th April.

The TV stalwart – whose varied career has seen him present shows including ‘How’, ‘How 2’ and ‘Pass The Buck’, as well as a long stint as news anchor on ITV Meridian – joined guests including homeowners, staff and members of the public to talk about his illustrious career.

Attendees heard first-hand about some of the breaking news stories he has reported over the years, as well as the many factual books he has written – and ghost written – including an autobiography on the infamous Kray Brothers.

Fred commented:

“It was a pleasure to visit the guests at Hamilton House and give a talk on my colourful television career. The development provides an excellent solution for those looking to enjoy an independent and active lifestyle in retirement, and I enjoyed meeting and chatting to homeowners. It’s clear everyone values the quality of life afforded by their surroundings and the freedom of having a range of services on their doorstep.”

Nicki Beswarick, marketing manager for McCarthy & Stone Southern, commented:

“We would like to thank Fred for taking the time to visit Hamilton House. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to quiz one of Britain’s longest-serving broadcasters, and to meet a familiar face who has been gracing their television screens for so many years.”

“This particular event is just one example of the many regular and varied social activities we organise for homeowners. Not only do these get-togethers provide an opportunity for companionship, they also help to showcase the fantastic close-knit community which has been created here.”

More: "Modern living and low-maintenance design" »

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