The first homes at a huge new neighbourhood on the edge of Bristol are on target for completion next year - as the developers reveal they have had more than 1,000 enquiries on them.
Construction work is well underway on 302 new homes at the new Brabazon estate on Filton Airfield after work began back in January.
The homes, set to be ready for Spring next year, will form part of a development with more than 2,600 new residential properties, shops, three schools, a leisure centre.
Yesterday (September 3), to mark the completion of the first roofs of the homes, South Gloucestershire Council leader Toby Savage led a 'topping out ceremony'.
Speaking to Bristol Live, director of marketing and sales for developer YTL, Jon McDiarmid said the new homes had already attracted more than 1,000 enquiries.
"We have had a huge level of interest," he said.
"The former Filton Airfield is an historic site and there is a huge knowledge and respect and interest in that - I think people are keen to see the area get such a new lease of life."
Mr McDiarmid said he believed people were attracted to the size of the properties and the space the new development provides - especially given the Covid-19 pandemic.
He added: “ The first new homes at Brabazon are setting the standard for what this new neighbourhood will become.
"The design details like the curve of the crescent, the quality of the brickwork and the extra space inside and out will make for really distinctive new homes."
The first batch of homes will be available for sale by the end of this year before being ready for people to move in from next year, he said.
Out of the 302 homes, 42 properties would be classed as affordable homes.
And as the first phase comes to its final stage, Mr McDiarmid said work could being on the wider project.
As well as three new schools, a health centre, library, retail and leisure facilities there will be 62 acres of employment space.
And there are also approved plans by YTL for a 17,000-capacity arena in the nearby Brabazon hangar - which was given the go-ahead earlier this year.
As part of the wider project, a transport scheme, including a new North Filton railway station located on the railway line next to the airfield is planned. It will form part of the Henbury Spur line.
The entire development is expected to take two decades to complete.
Councillor Savage said: “Brabazon is set to transform the local area and is a wakeup call to the big housebuilders on what new development can look like and deliver for communities.
"The most exciting thing is that this will be a really thriving new neighbourhood, not just another housing project. There will be public parks, schools, community facilities and new transport links.
"And at the heart of it will be the incredible new YTL Arena Complex. For so many it’s going to be the most exciting place to be in the South West.”
