News / Unite
500-bed student digs given crucial safety approval after year-long delay
A major 500-bed student accommodation scheme in Bristol has finally been given the green light after a year-long delay in the building safety approval process.
The £73m Freestone Island development, located near Bristol Temple Meads station, is now set to move forward after securing Gateway 2 approval — a key stage in the UK’s post-Grenfell building safety regime, which ensures detailed design and construction plans meet strict safety standards before work can begin.
The scheme, backed by student housing provider Unite Students, had been held up in a backlog with the Building Safety Regulator.
is needed now More than ever
Gateway 2 approval is a legal requirement under the UK’s Building Safety Act for higher-risk buildings, including tall student accommodation. It involves a detailed review of design and construction plans by the Building Safety Regulator to ensure they meet stringent safety and building regulation standards.
Freestone Island is nestled between the railway line to the north, Kingsland Road to the east and Gas Lane to the south
A Unite spokesperson said: “It’s been a long journey to get here, so we’re very pleased to finally have approval to move forward.”
With approval now in place, main contractor RG Group is expected to start construction soon.
Once completed, Freestone Island will deliver 500 student beds, 4,500 sq ft of affordable workspace, and is expected to meet high environmental standards, including a BREEAM Excellent rating and EPC A ratings across the site.
The £73m Freestone Island development, located near Bristol Temple Meads station, is now set to move forward after securing Gateway 2 approval
Located near Unite’s existing Marsh Mills site on Feeder Road, the development forms part of a wider transformation of the Temple Meads area and responds to growing demand for high-quality, sustainable student housing in the city.
The Freestone Island student development is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting accommodation demand for students at the University of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, which is due to open in September 2026.
All photos: Unite Students
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