Work on building Bristol's new arena can begin after the Government decided not to call in the application submitted by developers YTL.
The Secretary of State was happy with the decision made by Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council to approve the plans, and saw no reason to further examine the application to build the 17,080-capacity arena in the Brabazon Hangars on Filton Airfield.
On March 4, Bristol City Council’s planning committee voted to approve the application before South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee approved plans to build a temporary 1,800 space car park access for delivery vehicles and a new pedestrian bridge over the existing railway track, which will serve as the main entrance to the arena on March.
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The Secretary of State's decision not to call in the application was the final approval YTL needed to push forward its plans to deliver an arena for Bristol and the South West.
The developer will now finalise design plans before getting to work on building the third largest arena in the UK, which it hopes will "put Bristol on the world stage for live music and entertainment", in early 2021.
Doors to the venue are set to open in 2023.
Andrew Billingham, managing director of YTL Arena Complex, said: "During the current COVID-19 crisis this is especially welcomed news. It is a huge step forward for everybody in Bristol and the region.
"We are fully committed to opening a venue that will inspire future generations, giving our great city a beating heart across the global music and entertainment industry."
The city has been waiting almost two decades for an arena, and this is the fourth attempt to get one.
It will be the third largest arena in the UK - after Manchester and the O2 in London - when completed.
As well as the main arena in the central hangar, the plans also include transforming the other two hangars into a ‘Festival Hall’ and ‘The Hub’.
Festival Hall will be a flat floor event space for conventions, exhibitions and will work in tandem with the arena to attract large scale events.
Meanwhile The Hub will be the 365-day aspect of the venue and will include a visitor attraction, leisure, workspace and food and drink.
