Watkin Jones' Bristol PBSA project secures approvals

UK rental property developer Watkin Jones has announced a major step forward for its 201-bed student housing project in Bristol's Temple Quarter. 

Freestone Yards

The project, located on Freestone Road, has secured all necessary approvals and funding to move ahead.
This development is a collaboration with real estate fund manager Moorfield Group and Tiger Developments, with Host managing the property once it's finished. Construction began in early January, demonstrating Watkin Jones' efficient project management.
The Freestone Road project will transform a previously developed site into a modern complex with 65 en-suite cluster apartments and 136 self-contained studios across four buildings. It aims for BREEAM Excellent certification and is expected to be ready for the 2027/2028 academic year.
The location is ideal, directly across from the new Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, a £500 mln (€585 mln) development by the University of Bristol. This campus is a key part of the wider Temple Quarter regeneration, set to educate 4,600 students and employ 650 staff.
Moorfield has delivered around 5,000 beds through Domain, its purpose-built student accommodation development and operational platform. A further 2,000+ beds are being aggregated through Moorfield’s student houses strategy, which acquires and modernises student HMOs; alongside single-family home, multifamily and co-living strategies as well within the Living sector.
Gwyn Pritchard, managing director at Watkin Jones, commented: “Achieving Gateway 2 approval for our PBSA scheme on Freestone Road demonstrates our expertise in driving projects forward while maintaining our focus on excellence in construction delivery. The development highlights our ability to meet market demand with innovative, high-standard builds that benefit communities and stakeholders alike. Well done to all involved.”
Hugh Canham, head of Asset Management at Moorfield Group, said: “We are pleased to have achieved Gateway 2 approval, which has been the result of a great deal of work from the entire project team. Working with experienced delivery partners with a proven track record, such as Watkin Jones and Tiger Developments, is central to our UK Living sector strategy. Our conviction remains that purpose-built high-quality assets will command a scarcity premium amongst both investors and consumers as new supply is constrained by ongoing regulatory and viability challenges.”   
John Nesbitt, managing director at Tiger Developments, added: “Reaching Gateway 2 approval for the Freestone Road PBSA scheme marks a major step forward for this development, and we are pleased to see work underway on site. This scheme will deliver high-quality, sustainable student accommodation in a prime Temple Quarter location, supporting Bristol’s growing student population while contributing positively to the wider regeneration of the area. We look forward to working closely with Watkin Jones and our partners to bring this project to completion for the 2027/28 academic year.”