Bristol Co-living Supplementary Planning Document
Co-living or shared living housing is a modern approach to communal living. Co-living accommodation is owned and managed by private companies and provides private living space along with shared spaces for cooking, eating, relaxation, leisure, working and laundry.
What we proposed
The Co-Living SPD provides information on how local housing development policies, such as the Bristol Local Plan, should guide future development of Co-living accommodation. In the draft SPD we have proposed the key principles for co-living developments which aim to achieve:
- mixed, balanced and inclusive communities that provide housing choice and opportunity
- Good quality accommodation that delivers high standards of living, accessibility and facilities for future residents
The SPD is intended to be used by all professionals involved in the planning, design and delivery of co-living schemes within Bristol.
The draft Bristol Co-living Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was prepared in accordance with part 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. The document will be used alongside relevant local plan policies to determine all applications for purpose-built co-living accommodation (including conversions of existing buildings). The document will become important material consideration in the decision-making process.
In this consultation, we asked you for your views on the draft document, before a final version is agreed at the Economy and Skills Committee and adopted.
The survey summarises the four chapters in the draft SPD and asks for your views on these. You can read the draft SPD in full and comment on any aspect of the document as part of your response in this survey.
If you would like to read more about engagement that has already taken place during drafting of the SPD, or read about equality considerations, you can follow the links below:
Results of the consultation
The Co-Living Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted on 1 June 2026 by the Economy and Skills Policy Committee.
The SPD gives more detail on how to apply local plan policies for Co-Living development proposals, and is a material consideration when making decisions on planning applications.
The SPD has been prepared in accordance with part 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. The Adopted Co-Living SPD and the Adoption Statement are available to view on the Council webpage.
The documents will also be available for inspection at City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR, Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, until 1 September 2026.
We asked
A formal consultation on the Co-Living SPD took place between 6 October to 17 November 2025.
The consultation asked questions on the extent to which respondents agreed or disagreed with the draft SPD, invited open comments on the contents, and specifically asked for comments on the proposed space standards proposed for these dwellings.
You said
A total of 92 responses were received. The consultation statement summarises the feedback.
Of the responses received 42 (49%) supported the draft SPD, 26 (31%) objected to the draft SPD, 12 (14%) neither supported nor objected to the draft SPD and 5 (5.9%) made no comment.
We did
The consultation responses were used to inform changes to the document, which resulted in the final version of the Co-Living SPD considered for adoption by committee.
The consultation statement sets out a summary of the issues raised; the Council’s response to these, and any changes made to the document as a result.
A summary of the changes is also presented in the adoption statement.
Changes include:
- Clarifying that other adopted policy documents are also relevant to Co-Living development
- Clarifying the role of the ‘toolkit’ element of the SPD
- Removing reference to sleeping area space requirements (as these were based on national guidance for 2-person occupancy rather than single occupancy).
- Adding requirement to consider compatibility of outside space with noise and air quality
- Adding that units should not be used as an Airbnb
Further information
Co-living accommodation
Co-living or shared living housing is a communal living concept that provides a modern alternative to traditional shared house arrangements. Owned and managed by private companies shared living developments seek to create an intentional community by bringing together people in a communal residential environment that allows the sharing of resources and costs.
Developments are designed to facilitate social interaction and collaboration and to support events and activities encouraged as part of the shared living experience.
A range of amenities are often provided on site and rentals usually cover housing, utilities and other incidental costs.
Shared living accommodation typically comprises private space, usually in the form of studio living dwellings, alongside other shared social and functional spaces for cooking, eating, relaxation, leisure, working and laundry. Accommodation can vary in size but should allow residents to conduct their lives largely independently of the communal facilities, should they wish to do so.
Development of the Bristol Co-living SPD
The draft Bristol Co-living Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) provides further guidance on the implementation of a range of existing and new local plan policies that are relevant to the development of Co-living accommodation.
Key policies aim to achieve:
- mixed, balanced and inclusive communities that provide a mix and balance of homes contributing to people’s housing choice and opportunity
- and good quality accommodation that deliver high standards of liveability, accessibility and amenity for future residents.
The document sets out a range of design principles and other guidance to help ensure proposals for Co-living development achieve these important policy aims.
A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) build upon and provide more detailed advice or guidance on policies in an adopted local plan and are a material consideration in decision-making.
Boundaries for the Bristol Co-living SPD
This Supplementary Planning Document will be a city-wide policy document, applicable to all new co-living developments being proposed within the city.
Our work with partners
The Council have engaged with a number of key stakeholders are part of the preparatory process of the draft document, as detailed in the consultation statement.
It builds from emerging Local Plan Polices, which have been subject to wider stakeholder input.
This consultation is a key next step in shaping and informing the SPD to ensure it is fit for purpose.
Key dates
- Start date: 6 October 2025
- End date: 17 November 2025