Planning Approved for Maggs House Student Housing Development in Bristol

Acting for Schroders, Rapleys has gained planning permission from Bristol City Council to redevelop Bristol’s Maggs House on Queens Road into a 113-bed student housing scheme. This project will transform the largely vacant building in the Clifton Conservation Area through partial demolition and extension. Despite initial heritage concerns, particularly regarding views of the Wills Memorial Tower, a revised design was approved. The sustainable development, targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, will provide much-needed student accommodation, boosting the local economy and easing pressure on the private rental market.

Rapleys is delighted to have secured full planning permission on behalf of Schroders UK Real Estate Fund for the major redevelopment of Maggs House on Queens Road, Bristol. The approval will see the partial demolition, change of use, and extension of the prominent, yet largely vacant building to create 113 high-quality, purpose-built student bed spaces.

The project involved overcoming significant planning challenges. Situated within the Clifton Conservation Area and adjoining a Grade II Listed terrace, the scheme required a design that was highly sensitive to its historic context. We successfully navigated initial heritage concerns, including potential impacts on views of the Grade II* Listed Wills Memorial Tower, by working proactively with council officers to revise the rooftop extension, ensuring key views were preserved. The case also required robust justification for the change of use from office, retail, and a basement nightclub, demonstrating the scheme would make a positive contribution to the area’s vitality.

This Rapleys student housing development Maggs House Bristol represents a significant investment in Bristol, transforming an underperforming building into a vibrant and sustainable student hub. The project will deliver critically-needed student accommodation in a prime location, helping to alleviate pressure on the city’s private rental market.

Designed to the highest sustainability standards, the development is targeting a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and will achieve a 41.11% reduction in CO2 emissions beyond current building regulations through measures like solar panels and air source heat pumps. The development will also bring substantial economic benefits, including an estimated £2.4 million in annual student spending locally.
A key success was agreeing the updated appearance of the refurbished building, preserving the character of this important non-designated heritage asset. This project is a prime example of sustainable regeneration, delivering vital new homes while sensitively enhancing the historic environment.

Image credit:

Architect: Stride Treglown

Visualisation & Design: Troopers Hill

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