Track record

Full Application for Change of Use to Purpose‑Built Student Accommodation, 6 Whiteladies Road, Bristol

Environmental Impact Assessments

Service

Offices

Residential

Industry

The project

The project involved securing full planning permission for the comprehensive conversion of 6 Whiteladies Road — a four‑storey former office building (Use Class E(g)) situated in the Clifton and Hotwells Conservation Area — into 16 high‑quality, self‑contained student studios (Sui Generis). The property had been vacant for a prolonged period and had proven difficult to re‑let, owing to its compartmentalised layout, lack of lift access, and poor suitability for modern office tenants.

The client’s key objective was to deliver Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) towards the upper end of the market as it is in an exceptionally well-connected location adjacent to the University of Bristol’s main campus. The scheme sought to respond to the acute shortage of student accommodation in the city, reduce pressure on family housing stock in surrounding neighbourhoods, and bring a long‑vacant building back into meaningful, sustainable use. Rapleys was instructed to prepare, submit, and manage the full planning application, including engagement with local Ward Councillors, specialist consultants and Bristol City Council throughout determination.

Our solution

Prepared a robust, policy-led Planning Supporting Statement demonstrating compliance with DM2 and BCAP4, evidencing that the scheme would not result in a harmful concentration of PBSA despite local student densities.
Established a strong planning justification for the loss of office floorspace, supported by marketing evidence showing no interest despite prolonged marketing, and highlighting the extant Class MA fallback for 8 residential units.
Negotiated revisions with the LPA, including the introduction of a communal area, revised bin and bike storage, and enhancements to front landscaping to improve the secondary pedestrian route and Conservation Area setting.
Addressed detailed technical matters—including noise, overheating, sustainability, heritage, daylight/sunlight, and transport—ensuring concerns raised by Pollution Control, Sustainable City, and ward councillors were fully resolved.
Secured acceptance of a 66% reduction in CO₂ emissions, exceeding BCS14 requirements, through the use of air‑source heat pumps and sustainable design principles.
Achieved planning permission with no outstanding objections, demonstrating clear public benefits in re‑using vacant brownfield land, supporting student need, and enhancing the character of the Conservation Area.

Our track record

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‘Land off Hollingworth Road, Littleborough’ Residential Led Development

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1 James Street, London

Rapleys was appointed by Annington Property Limited to assist with their exit from office premises at 1 James Street, London and relocate to new premises.

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