The University of Bristol has been given the green light for the new University Library (NUL), which will be built on the site of The Hawthorns
The university submitted its planning application for the new University Library to Bristol City Council in January 2020 following an extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
The successful planning application outlined how the NUL will play an important civic and educational role and provide an architecturally significant new building for the city, along with improved external public spaces.
The new University Library has been designed by a collaborative team formed by Hawkins/Brown, Schmidt Hammer Lassen and BuroHappold.
‘Providing world-class state-of-the-art library facilities’
Deputy vice-chancellor and provost, Professor Judith Squires, said: “We are delighted to have been granted planning permission for our new University Library and thank everyone for their input and support throughout the planning process.
“The new University Library will provide world-class state-of-the-art library facilities for our staff, students and visitors. It will support the learning of generations of future students and cutting-edge research into our most significant societal challenges.
“It will also be a new cultural destination for the city of Bristol, with a museum style café, exhibition galleries, reading rooms to explore archival and museum collections, and programmed event spaces.
“The new University Library will sit in a new City Square, providing a welcoming and inspiring public realm for the whole city.
“We look forward to delivering this new heart to our university campus and currently anticipate that the new library will open in 2026.”
Enhancements will be made to the surrounding public realm including a new pedestrianised civic square between the NUL and refurbished Senate House.
The proposed new road layouts will improve public transport and traffic flow, enhance pedestrian and cycling routes in line with the council’s emerging policies, and make the whole area enjoyable, safer and accessible for everyone.
