Look at standards for some types of development and planning documents that we use to help make decisions on planning applications.
Spatial frameworks
These provide detailed guidance about the layout and design of new development in parts of Bristol:
- pdf City Centre Framework(19.57 MB)
- pdf Bedminster Green Framework(14.48 MB)
- Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone Spatial Framework
- Frome Gateway regeneration
- Mead Street Development Brief (PDF)
- Whitehouse Street Regeneration Framework (PDF)
Bristol Temple Quarter Development Framework
The development framework was endorsed by Bristol City Council cabinet in May 2023. You can read the full document here:
St Philip's Marsh
We're beginning to produce a supplementary planning document which will provide a masterplan for the St Philip's Marsh area. This will contain more detailed, area-specific guidance than the Temple Quarter Development Framework.
It will respond to the emerging allocations in the draft Bristol Local Plan and support the redevelopment of St Philip's Marsh under Policies DS2 and DS3.
The Bristol Temple Quarter Limited Liability Partnership are conducting an initial engagement exercise on St Philip's Marsh, open until 31 July 2025. Find out more and take part on the Bristol Temple Quarter website.
City Centre Development and Delivery Plan
- pdf City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (DDP) Part A(84.08 MB)
- pdf City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (DDP) Part B(21.71 MB)
If you have problems accessing these documents you can email CityCentreDDP@bristol.gov.uk
Supplementary planning documents (SPD)
These have extra detail on policies in the Local Plan:
- pdf Planning obligations SPD(1.39 MB)
- pdf A guide for designing house alterations and extensions (SPD 2)(1.13 MB)
- pdf Future of Redcliffe (SPD 3)(8.36 MB)
- pdf Archaeology and Development (SPD 7)(1.53 MB)
- pdf Nelson Street (SPD 8)(3.17 MB)
- pdf St Pauls (SPD 10)(2.72 MB)
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
- pdf Managing the development of houses in multiple occupation SPD(1.64 MB)
- pdf Consultation Statement(571 KB)
- pdf Summary of Reg. 13 Representations(491 KB)
- pdf Evidence Paper(1.01 MB)
Urban living
- pdf Urban Living SPD: Making successful places at higher densities(4.66 MB)
- pdf Urban Living: Evidence base(13.64 MB)
- spreadsheet Urban Living: Child yield calculator(31 KB)
- pdf Urban Living: Consultation statement(8.05 MB)
University of Bristol
- pdf University of Bristol Strategic Masterplan (SPD 11)(9.74 MB)
- pdf University of Bristol Appendices (SPD 11)(19.44 MB)
- pdf University of Bristol Aerial Map (SPD 11)(474 KB)
Policy advice notes (PAN)
These have more details about parts of the Local Plan:
- Conservation area character appraisals
- pdf Off-street residential parking in conservation areas(262 KB)
- pdf Shopfront guidelines (PAN 8)(789 KB)
- pdf Responding to local character: a design guide (PAN 15)(609 KB)
Guidance for meeting the Local Plan
We have guidance to help you make sure your development meets the requirements of the Local Plan.
Affordable Housing
- pdf Affordable Housing practice note(892 KB)
- pdf Delivery of Affordable Build to Rent Homes in Bristol(326 KB)
- pdf Delivery of First Homes in Bristol(250 KB)
Local Plan standards
Other documents
- pdf DM6: Public Houses practice note(264 KB)
- pdf Broadband Connectivity practice note(211 KB)
- pdf Climate change and sustainability practice note(832 KB)
- pdf Climate change and sustainability practice note addendum(292 KB)
- pdf Flood risk sequential test practice note(1.63 MB)
- pdf Assessing the health impacts of development practice note(315 KB)
- pdf Waste and recycling: collection and storage facilities(4.07 MB)
- pdf Marketing guidelines for a change of use planning application(36 KB)
- Travel plan guide for new developments
- pdf Bristol City Council Transport Department Schedule of Fees 2023 to 2024(252 KB)
- Transport and highway design guidance
Public realm strategies
These have extra guidance about the design of streets and spaces in parts of Bristol:
- pdf Draft City Centre Public Realm and Movement Framework(19.31 MB)
- pdf Nelson Street Public Realm Strategy(9.02 MB)
Bristol Tree Replacement Standard
Guidance on the Bristol Tree Replacement Standard can be found in the following documents: