St Philip’s Marsh SPD engagement

Illustrative masterplan: A drawing or set of images showing one way the area could look when fully developed. It is not a fixed design but helps people visualise the scale and character of the ambition. The final designs may differ as individual sites come forward.

Framework plan: A plan that sets out the essential rules and principles that all future development must follow and provides key structuring principles across the SPD area, such as where streets should go. Unlike an illustrative masterplan, the framework plan is more fixed and forms the basis for assessing planning applications and providing coordination between individual proposals

Key moves: The main design decisions that will shape how the area looks and functions. These are the ‘big ideas’ — for example, creating a new high street, providing new parks or creating an ecological corridor along the river, or connecting the area to wider Bristol.

Mixed-use: A type of development that combines different activities in the same area or building — for example, homes above shops, or offices alongside cafés and community spaces.

Community infrastructure: Spaces and buildings that local people can access for social, leisure, cultural or recreational purposes. Examples include community centres, village halls, leisure centres, youth clubs and libraries. These facilities help bring people together and support a sense of belonging within a neighbourhood.

Social infrastructure: The broad range of facilities and services that support the health, education and wellbeing of a community. This includes schools, nurseries, colleges, GP surgeries, hospitals, dentists and community infrastructure. Planning for social infrastructure ensures that as new homes are built, the essential services residents need grow alongside them.

PBSA (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation): Housing specifically designed, built and managed for students, typically offering all-inclusive small private rooms or studios and student-focused shared communal spaces.

Material consideration: A factor that the Council takes into account when making a decision on a planning application. Decisions must follow the adopted Local Plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Examples include adopted guidance such as this SPD.

Mobility hub: A location where different travel options are brought together in one convenient place — for example, bus stops, vehicle and cycle parking, bike hire, car club vehicles and e-scooter parking. Mobility hubs make it easier for people to change transport modes, promoting walking and cycling for shorter, local journeys.

Area of search: A zone identified as a potentially suitable location for a particular use (such as a school, a park, housing or offices).

Character area: A distinct zone of the development area with its own identity, look and feel. Different character areas may have different building heights, architectural styles or mixes of uses — helping to create variety and a sense of place.

District Centre zone: A larger centre providing a wide range of shops, services, food and beverage, community facilities and workspaces. It serves a broader area and acts as a destination within the city.

Local Centre zone: A smaller neighbourhood centre with everyday shops and services — such as a convenience store, supermarket, pharmacy or café — within easy walking distance of surrounding homes.

Blue space: Areas of water that contribute to the environment and quality of life, such as rivers, canals, ponds or wetlands. In St Philip’s Marsh, this includes the River Avon and the Feeder Canal.

Visual amenity: The overall quality, experience and nature of views and outlook available to future communities. In St Philip’s Marsh, enhancing visual amenity along the River Avon and Feeder Canal means creating attractive, well-designed waterside spaces that are pleasant to look at, spend time in and move through.

Perimeter block typologies: A way of arranging buildings around the edges of a block, with front doors facing outward onto the street and a shared courtyard in the middle. This approach creates active, overlooked streets while providing private or communal space within.

Stepped massing: A design approach where building heights gradually increase or decrease — for example, lower buildings at the edges of a site stepping up to taller buildings in the centre. This helps manage the transition between areas of different scale and reduces overshadowing.

Primary streets: The main movement corridors that structure St Philip’s Marsh and connect it to wider Bristol. These streets are designed to accommodate the greatest intensity of movement and activity, including public transport where appropriate. They can act as a focus for retail and other services, creating busy, active environments.

Secondary streets: Streets that support local connections within St Philip’s Marsh, linking primary streets to open spaces, community facilities and residential neighbourhoods. These streets carry moderate levels of movement and form the network for local journeys.

Tertiary streets: Quieter, narrower residential streets and lanes. They are designed primarily for access to homes and prioritise pedestrians and cyclists over through-traffic.

Tenure blind: An approach where affordable and private homes are designed to the same standard and are visually indistinguishable and integrated throughout a development rather than separated. This helps create mixed, inclusive communities.

Topographical: Relating to the shape and physical features of the land, including slopes, levels and contours.

Direct delivery: When a developer or landowner is required to build or provide infrastructure themselves as part of their development, rather than making a financial contribution towards it. For example, a developer may be required to directly deliver a new street, public space or utility connection that serves their site and benefits the wider area.

Section 106 Agreement: A legal agreement between the Council and a developer, attached to a planning permission, that secures contributions or commitments which mitigate the impact of the proposed development. This can include funding for schools, healthcare, affordable housing, public transport or open space.

CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy): A planning charge which can be imposed by local planning authorities on new development to help fund strategic infrastructure across the city, such as schools, transport improvements and green spaces. Unlike Section 106 contributions, which are negotiated on a site-by-site basis, CIL is calculated using a standard formula based on the size and type of development.