Much-needed student accommodation at a highly sustainable location

There is an acute shortage of student accommodation in Bristol, particularly around  the University of Bristol’s Clifton campus. A shortfall in purpose-built student accommodation in the city means that many students live in flats and houses that might normally be occupied by families or young professionals starting out in their careers, which in turn places pressure on housing options and affordability in the city. 

With the care functions at St Joseph’s having ceased, an opportunity now exists to sensitively repurpose the historic building, providing much-needed student accommodation a short walk from the University of Bristol’s main campus and on key bus routes serving the city centre, the University of the West of England, and Temple Meads railway station and Temple Quarter Campus.

Update May 2026 – Change of use planning application submitted

Following the community consultation carried out via this website during March 2026, Harringay Real Estate has now submitted a planning application for the proposed change of use for St Joseph’s, Cotham Hill, to provide purpose-built student accommodation. 

The plans have evolved following the community consultation, with some of the student rooms now being provided in cluster flats in addition to studios. Additional amenity space is also proposed.

As before, the development will be largely car free. Student residents will be contractually prohibited from keep a car locally and will be ineligible to apply for residents parking permits in the local area (unlike residents in HMOs in the private rented sector). Parking will only be provided for a staff and disabled students.

The full planning application can be viewed on Bristol City Council planning portal here, quoting reference 26/11841/F.