Continuing the success of the TCPA New Communities Group‘s study tours, our 2026 tour will visit the proposed New Town of Brabazon, Bristol, alongside large urban extensions around Bristol and Bath. 

This tour is in collaboration with South Gloucestershire Council, Bath and North East Somerset Council and Women in Planning South West. This trip will highlight practical examples of successful placemaking, demonstrate integrated infrastructure, and offer a variety of models towards thriving future communities. Participants will hear about emerging strategic growth proposals in the region, coordination with the Mayoral Combined Authority, and how infrastructure is being forward funded to support growth.

Monday 29 June 

Please book trains to arrive by 10:30 at Bristol Temple Meads Station

Filton Airfield, Brabazon – YTL – 6,500 homes: Brabazon has been proposed by Government as a prospective New Town. It comprises a group of sites across an arc, with a high-density core on the former Filton Airfield as the earliest phase of delivery. This received outline planning consent in 2024. We will be visiting Filton Airfield where 450 homes are complete and a new station and stadium are planned, together with South Gloucestershire Council and YTL, as well as adjacent smaller housing sites including Beaufort Park (562 homes built by Persimmon), Cribbs Triangle (97 homes built by Vistry), and Berwick Green (244 homes built by Taylor Wimpey). 

Tuesday 30 June 

Please book trains to depart from Bath Spa Station at 16:00, or 17:00 if you would like to stay for networking drinks with Women in Planning South West

Ensleigh, Bath – Linden Homes – 247 homes: This completed new community is to the north of Bath, on the site of a former MoD base and the plateau of Lansdown Hill. Alongside homes, we will see its green avenues, play spaces, shop, new primary school and elderly accommodation. 

Mulberry Park – Curo Group – 700 homes: Mulberry Park is a development within the village of Combe Down on the southern fringes of Bath, developed by the housing association Curo. The project focuses on bringing town centre density to suburban Bath for greater sustainability, and was shortlisted for the Housing Design Awards. Its central avenue includes a community centre, cafe and school which open onto a public square. Quieter streets beyond the avenue are designed to create active playable spaces. It is nearing its completion. 

Who is the tour for? 

This study tour is aimed at planners, councillors, policy makers, developers, housebuilders, consultants, urban designers, academics, architects – and anyone else who wants to gain valuable insight on the planning of large-scale new towns and new communities.     

Travel, arrivals and departures 

We will be travelling by private coach. Please note that drop-off will be to a different station than pickup. However, an open return ticket to Bristol Temple Meads that passes through Bath Spa may be booked. (Trains from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads are frequent and take 20 minutes.) 

Accommodation 

The Travelodge Bath Waterside/Riverside is a centrally located hotel in Widcombe Basin, roughly 15 minutes walk from the Centre of Bath. Basic, modern rooms equipped with king-size beds, flat-screen TVs, and tea/coffee making facilities. 

If you have any questions please email Jack.Boreham@tcpa.org.uk 

Important: A range of payment options is available for this event, including payment by invoice.

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Accessibility at Zoom webinars

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