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St Josephs Cotham Hill

St Joseph’s, Cotham Hill
Proposed student accommodation

South-west based Harringay Real Estate is preparing a change of use planning application for St Joseph’s Care Home, Cotham Hill, Bristol following its closure last year. The proposal is to convert the existing building into student accommodation, as this is the most sympathetic and appropriate use given its sustainable location a short walk from the University of Bristol.

The proposal involves only very limited external changes to the building, which dates from 1860 (although it was largely rebuilt in the 1950s following extensive WW2 bomb damage), securing the building's future and enabling it to remain as a prominent local landmark. The largely internal reconfiguration would provide up to 131 student studio rooms, as well as amenity and recreational spaces, cycle-storage and communal gardens. 

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 winding down, 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.

Community consultation

Before submitting a planning application for the change of use to Bristol City Council, Harringay Real Estate would welcome feedback from local residents and businesses. This website has been established to provide information about the emerging plans and an opportunity to provide feedback. You can view an interactive map showing the site in its local context, read an overview of the proposals and complete our short feedback form.

If you would like to be kept updated as the plans move forward, please ensure you opt-in to receive email updates when completing a feedback form.

Project timeline

Community consultation

March 2026

We are asking local people for feedback on the proposed change of use of St Joseph’s, Cotham Hill. 

Feedback review

March 2026 to April 2026

We will review feedback received as we prepare a planning application.

Planning application

April 2026 to May 2026

A planning application will be submitted to Bristol City Council for the change of use to provide student accommodation.

Find out more and have your say:

Interactive map

Interactive map

View the site’s location and key features in its local context.

Find out more

Find out more

Find out more about the proposed changes of use of St Josephs and the internal reconfigurations proposed for the building.

FAQs

FAQs

Your feedback

Your feedback

Have your say on the proposals by completing our short feedback form.

Get in touch

Get in touch

You can contact our consultation team with any questions.