Parliamentarians, business leaders and partners from across the region gathered in Westminster this week to continue to make the case to government for new town status at Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc, where 40,000 new homes and 40,000 new jobs couldcreate a £20 billion economic boost.
Hosted by Mayor Helen Godwin, in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council, and YTL, the reception championed plans for the region’sfirst Mayoral Development Zone – including the new town, a transformed Bristol Parkway station, and better connecting the whole area by sustainable transport, including to Bristol & Bath Science Park.
Parliamentary attendees included Angela Rayner MP, former Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG); local MP Claire Hazelgrove (Filton and Bradley Stoke), who spoke at the event; Local Government MinisterAlison McGovern MP and Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood MP; regional MPs Kerry McCarthy, Karin Smyth, and Sadik Al-Hassan; and peers Baroness Doreen Lawrence, Lord Marvin Rees, and Baroness Barbara Janke.
Representatives of government departments and agencies included those from MHCLG, Homes England, the Department for Business and Trade, the Environment Agency, the Ministry of Defence, the Office for Investment, the Department for Transport, and Active TravelEngland. Key regional and national stakeholders who attended included: Network Rail, Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Business West, UWE Bristol, NCC, GWR, SGS College, and Bristol & Bath Science Park.
The event highlighted the scale of the growth potential at the heart of the country’s fastest-growing regional economy, where up to 40,000 new homes and 40,000 new jobs could be delivered over the coming decades, supported by major transport, innovation andinfrastructure investment.
Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:
“Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver the homes, jobs, infrastructure and investment that our region and our country need.
“By bringing together partners from government, business, and local government in Westminster, we’re sending a clear message that the West of England is ready to deliver.
“Together, we can invest in communities, improve public transport, and support world-leading innovation.”
Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, said:
“I was pleased to speak at this event, seeing so many attendees from our community and Westminster coming together to hear more about our constituency’s significant impact, and support our shared mission to not only make ours an even better place to live,but one of the most exciting places to live.
“My very first question in Parliament two years ago was about ensuring our community has the infrastructure we need as it grows – and now look at what could be on the horizon. Achieving official ‘New Town’ status here would see a vital boost to local infrastructure,helping end the gridlock and securing the homes, facilities and green spaces we need. I will continue to champion all this for us in Parliament.”
Councillor Maggie Tyrrell, Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, and Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said:
“The West Innovation Arc is one of the most significant growth opportunities in the country and already plays a vital role in the region’s economy.
“We’re pleased to work with the Mayor, government and partners to ensure this opportunity delivers sustainable growth, significant investment and high-quality places that create and lasting benefits for current and future residents.”
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council and Deputy Mayor of the West of England, said:
“The scale of ambition for Brabazon and the West Innovation Arc reflects the scale of opportunity available to our region.
“With new homes, new jobs and improved transport links, this area can help drive growth across Bristol and the wider West of England while creating the sustainable communities that people need.”
Colin Skellett, Group Chief Executive Officer of YTL UK, said:
“Brabazon is already demonstrating what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together with a shared long-term vision. We are investing billions of pounds to create a thriving new community, and the opportunity to deliver a nationally significant new town is both real and achievable.
“Government support for the wider West Innovation Arc would help unlock further investment, accelerate the delivery of new homes and transport infrastructure, and connect more people to jobs and opportunities. Building on the area’s world-leading innovation, pioneering businesses and highly skilled workforce, we can create sustainable growth that benefits the West of England and the wider UK economy.”
Richard Oldfield, Chief Executive Officer at NCC, said:
“The West Innovation Arc is home to globally significant businesses and institutions that are fostering the next generation of talent and helping to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.
“Supporting growth in this area is about much more than housing; it is about creating the conditions for innovation, productivity and long-term economic prosperity.
“Backing these plans would strengthen one of the UK’s most important advanced engineering and technology clusters, creating opportunities for businesses, workers and communities across the region, and creating impact across the country.”
The Westminster reception comes as the area continues to be considered by the government for one of the country’s next generations of new towns. Stretching across South Gloucestershire and north Bristol, Brabazon & the West Innovation Arc is the region’s largestand most strategically significant innovation district.
The area is already seeing significant investment, including the opening of the £50mBristol Brabazon railway station later this year, major housing delivery at Brabazon, continued growth around Bristol & Bath Science Park and NCC, and wider plans to improve transport connections across theregion.
