Rapleys Secures Planning Approval for High-Quality Student Scheme on Bristol’s College Green

Rapleys has secured planning permission on behalf of Empiric Student Property PLC to convert College House on Bristol’s College Green into 57 high-quality studio apartments for postgraduate students. Acting for Empiric Student Property, the scheme will transform vacant office space in the prominent building. Despite complex policies, Rapleys demonstrated a critical need for purpose-built student accommodation, which helps reduce pressure on the private rental market. The project, targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, will bring the underused building back into vibrant use, boosting the local economy and securing its long-term future.

Rapleys is delighted to have secured full planning permission for the sensitive conversion of College House, a prominent building on Bristol’s College Green, on behalf of our client, Empiric Student Property PLC

The approved scheme will transform the building’s vacant and outdated office floorspace into 57 high-quality, purpose-built studio apartments specifically for the postgraduate student market. The project, which targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, will bring a prominent, underperforming building back into vibrant use in a highly sustainable, city-centre location.

Despite a complex policy landscape concerning student housing numbers, Rapleys successfully made the case that the proposal would not create a harmful concentration of student accommodation. Our submission demonstrated the critical need for purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Bristol, which helps to reduce pressure on the wider private rental market. The Council’s planning officer acknowledged the scheme’s benefits, accepting the loss of the unviable office space and concluding that the development would contribute positively to the diversity of uses in the area.

The high-quality design includes excellent internal amenities and respects the character of the College Green Conservation Area, with the council noting the proposal would have a neutral heritage impact. The development will deliver significant economic benefits, including creating an estimated 80 construction jobs

The decision represents a significant investment in Bristol, delivering vital student homes and securing the long-term future of a key city-centre building.

Image credit:

Architect: Stride Treglown

Visualisation & Design: Troopers Hill