New student homes and public space in Bristol
We need more good quality homes in Bristol to house our growing student population and help address the rental crisis.
Student accommodation that is well-managed, well-maintained and well-located can help us meet this demand.
Downing’s plans for high quality student homes to make better use of the Nelson Street NCP car park will help revitalise the Broadmead area.
Our designs will maximise the potential of a previously developed ‘brownfield’ site, extending the building up to 12 storeys, while enhancing public spaces in a sustainable location and respecting the character of the surrounding area.
We want you to help us shape the plans. We want to know what you think.
Tell us what you think
Help shape the plans for new student housing, ground floor spaces and public realm that will benefit the local community.
What’s proposed?
Approximately 300 modern, high quality student rooms to support the growth of the city’s two universities.
Maximising the potential of a previously developed ‘brownfield’ site by building homes with easy access to local amenities.
New ground floor spaces that could become shops, cafes and community spaces alongside student use to create welcoming activity along Nelson Street.
Provision of land to help facilitate improvements to a new bus lane on a key city centre route with enhanced cycling infrastructure to support the council’s highway works package.
Widening of pedestrian footpaths and provision of a first floor outdoor terrace for students to create new public realm with pleasant seating and social areas.
Investment in a new cycle lane along All Saints’ Street, cycle parking and pedestrian routes to support active travel, public health and the council’s 2030 carbon neutrality aspirations.
Improved green spaces to boost biodiversity such as the provision of new street trees and green roofs.
Regenerating this part of Broadmead by improving how the area feels and increasing footfall to support daytime retail and the evening economy.
Building homes for the next generation, therefore helping to reduce the need for student Homes of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) elsewhere in the city and freeing up more family homes.
About Downing
Downing is a leading UK property development, management and construction company.
We specialise in regenerating urban sites into vibrant spaces – including purpose-built student accommodation, residential, office, retail, educational and leisure.
Nelson Street will allow us to deliver high quality student homes on a prime redevelopment site and in a sustainable location.
Now we want to know what you think about our plans for new student homes on this site.
Tell us what you think
The short survey will only take a few minutes.
Get in touch
If you’d like to discuss the plans or offer any further feedback, you can contact the project team in a number of ways:
Call us on 0808 143 4781 (freephone)
Email us at info@nelsonstreetbristol.co.uk
The deadline for comments is Monday 10 November 2025