Plans have been submitted to Bristol City Council to convert a vacant office building into purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
A full planning application was submitted by property consultant Rapleys LLP on August 20 for 11-13 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol.
The application outlines a proposal for the “change of use from office to provide 20 purpose-built student units and associated works”.
The scheme will comprise of eight studios, 10 one-bed flats and two two-bedroom flats.
If approved, the sui generis scheme proposes to reduce the 20 carparking spaces to 12 and add 10 cycle spaces.
The scheme also includes installing air source heat pumps to the rear courtyard, the addition of photovoltaic panels and the removal of paint from the front façade and a return to a Bath stone finish.
Proposed floor plans (Shu Architects, 2025)
The 0.1082 hectare site is owned by Urban Creation (11 To 13 Wlr) Limited, a special-purpose vehicle for Urban Creation, a Bristol based developer specialising in student accommodation.
If planning permission is granted, the Whiteladies Road property will join Urban Creation’s Bristol student accommodation portfolio, which includes several properties on Park Street and throughout the Clifton area. Urban Creation was founded in 2004 by property developer and University of Bristol alum Jonathan Brecknell, and has built more than 1,100 residential units across Bristol and the south of England.
The office has been marketed to occupy by Bristol based commercial property agent Burston Cook since 27 November, 2024 although no proceedable offers or interest was made from potential occupiers.
A representative from the agency said in a marketing report “The response to marketing has been a little disappointing although not entirely surprising given the current market conditions and occupiers generally requiring a more open plan and contemporary environment.”
The development will be exempt from biodiversity net gain (BNG) requirements due to the size of the site.
11-13 Whiteladies Road was built between 1855 and 1874 as a pair of residential villas. The property is not listed but does fall within the Whiteladies Road Conservation Area, with considerations made in the Heritage, Design and Access Statement prepared by Shu Architects.
Whiteladies Road and the surrounding area is popular with developers seeking to convert former offices into student accommodation. Plans were submitted earlier this year for a similar scheme on the same road in Bristol, creating 16 studio flats across four floors.
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