Plans for new multi-million pound youth centre approved

Plans for a new multi-million pound youth centre in south Bristol have moved a step closer after being approved by city councillors.

The council’s planning committee approved national youth charity OnSide‘s application for the new “Youth Zone” on Tuesday evening.

The facility will be built on a patch of green space around the Inns Court housing estate in Knowle West, with the location attracting some criticism at resident meetings.

Run by local youth work charity Youth Moves and due to open in 2025, the centre will support an estimated 4,000 young people from south Bristol in its first year.

Bristol City Councillors have approved plans for a new Youth Zone on a patch of green space between the Inns Court housing estate in Knowle West and Imperial Retail Park in Hartcliffe– photo: Google

Youth Moves CEO Ali Dale said the approval of plans is “amazing news and a huge step forward to having an incredible Youth Zone for the young people of south Bristol”.

He said: “Partnering with OnSide to deliver this will hugely enhance what we at Youth Moves are able to offer young people in the area.

“It means we’ll be able to add to our brilliant team of dedicated and talented youth workers who are changing lives every day.

“Being able to deliver on a much larger scale from a Youth Zone setting, working alongside our local partners, will be a huge benefit to everyone and will mean we can reach so many more young people in the process.”

? Our world-class south #Bristol Youth Zone has planning permission!

? @youth_moves will run the £11m+ @OnSideYZ @BristolCouncil project, providing space for young people to take part in a range of activities

? Can’t wait for work to start on site, delivering another pledge pic.twitter.com/MrJ8vqGmsK

— Marvin Rees (@MarvinJRees) June 13, 2023

Millions have been secured to construct the facility, with the council contributing £7.3m towards the costs and OnSide having secured a further £6.9m from the government’s Youth Investment Fund.

Aimed at young people aged eight to 19 – or up to 25 for those with additional needs – the Youth Zone will be open seven days per week.

Members will have the opportunity to access more than 20 activities every night, ranging from sports such as football, boxing and climbing, to creative arts, music, drama and employability training as well as dedicated youth worker support – all for just 50p per visit and £5 annual membership.

The Youth Zone will join OnSide’s national network, which currently has 14 similar sites across the UK.

The Youth Zone is a partnership between OnSide, Youth Moves and Bristol City Council – photo: Youth Moves

OnSide chief executive Jamie Masraff said: “Being awarded planning permission is always a huge milestone in a Youth Zone’s development and we are delighted to achieve that on the back of our success with the recent Youth Investment Fund.

“We are delighted to partner with Youth Moves on this project; it is an amazing charity that will deliver life-changing support and opportunities from the Youth Zone.”

Councillor Asher Craig, deputy mayor with responsibility for children’s services, education, and equalities, added: “This planning permission is another positive step towards the development of our new Youth Zone.

“It’s great news for the children and young people of Bristol who I know are going to benefit massively by having this brand-new, state-of-the-art youth facility in south Bristol.

“The mayor and our administration are committed to giving every young person in Bristol the opportunity to thrive, and we will continue to invest in our city’s families and their future.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with OnSide and Youth Moves to bring the new Youth Zone to south Bristol, delivering on another manifesto commitment.”

Following the councillors’ approval, the application has been referred to the Secretary of State to make a final decision, due to the proposed site being allocated for new housing – not a youth centre – in the Local Plan.

Main image: Seven Architecture 

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• Funding secured for new multi-million pound youth centre
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