News / Filwood Community Centre
Permission granted for £10m project at community centre
The city will soon see expansion and retrofitting work at a community centre in south Bristol.
Bristol City Council has granted planning permission for a £10m project at Filwood Community Centre in Knowle West, which includes allocation of 75 per cent more space to the facility.
The “sympathetic retrofit and expansion” of the site from January 2025 will comprise a new space for Filwood Library, a public living room, a range of community spaces, and fabric improvements to enhance the site’s energy efficiency.
is needed now More than ever
Director of Filwood Community Centre, Makala Cheung said: “After so many years of working with local residents on a revamped bigger and better centre, it’s amazing to see it coming into reality.
The project is part of the Knowle West Regeneration Framework that was initiated in 2012
They continued: “I loved our community’s vision for a destination for Knowle West, a place to be proud of and a space for local people to take part in and create culturally relevant activities, that also help with creativity, well-being, and learning.
“Now with more and different types of spaces, we hope this will mean more great stuff for people this side of the city to enjoy, more local jobs for local people, and more income to keep the centre and charitable projects sustainable in the longer term.”
According to the chair of the homes and housing delivery committee, councillor Barry Parsons the site’s refurbishment is a “centrepiece of the wider regeneration of Filwood Broadway”.
The existing library will maintain its current location until the completion of the work
He continued: “This is an important part of delivering the community-led masterplan initiated by Knowle West residents with the Knowle West Regeneration Framework from 2012.
“I’m delighted that we’re able to fulfil the vision that local people have developed for the neighbourhood. The expanded and reimagined community centre will be Knowle West’s front room, a vibrant hub that will support the wellbeing of people across South Bristol.”
The project is in partnership with the council and Community In Partnership Knowle West (CIPKW) who currently run the community centre. The proposals have been led by London-based architects Hayhurst and Co., supported by several other organisations.
The community centre is scheduled to reopen for the public in early 2026.
All photos: Hayhurst and Co. / Bristol City Council
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