City want to create a ‘vibrant, inclusive hub for sport, learning and connection’
Plans for the transformation of Filwood Fields, proposed by Bristol City Robins Foundation(Image: Robins Foundation)
The transformation of a rundown sports field in the heart of South Bristol has been revealed by Bristol City’s charitable arm. The Robins Foundation is to take over the running of Filwood Fields and want to create a new club house, changing rooms, educational classrooms and a café alongside 3G Astro pitches and enhanced grass pitches.
The multi-million pound project was first revealed back in early April and saw Bristol City’s community charity secure the future of the Filwood Playing Fields in a deal with national charity Fields In Trust and local football side Mendip Broadwalk FC.
Now, the Robins Foundation is to host a drop in session for local people to find out more about their plans with Mendip Broadwalk, ahead of a formal planning application being submitted later this year.
The plans are part of a wider Filwood regeneration project, boosted by £14 million from the previous Government’s Levelling Up programme.
People who live in Filwood and the wider Knowle West are being invited to the current pavilion tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon and evening to find out plans for a replacement one, along with a huge investment to create new sports facilities there.
“This engagement is an important part of the planning application process and gives local residents, community groups, and stakeholders the opportunity to view proposals, ask questions, and share feedback on the vision for Filwood,” said a Robins Foundation spokesperson.
“The Robins Foundation will be joined by members of Mendip Broadwalk Football Club, Bristol City Council, planning consultants from Tetlow King, and young representatives from Youth Council.
“The proposed plans aim to bring new, inclusive, and accessible sports facilities to the site while protecting the space for future generations. The plans include a new club house, changing rooms, educational classrooms and a café alongside 3G Astro pitches and enhanced grass pitches which will offer improvements to existing infrastructure, and an ongoing commitment to safeguarding the land for sport, education, and community use through a deed of dedication with Fields in Trust,” he added.
(Image: Bristol City Council)
“The site will also feature Bristol City Council’s investment of the Multi-Use-Games Area (MUGA) which was funded as part of the Filwood Broadway Levelling Up Fund,” he added. That MUGA plan was approved by council planners back in January 2024 despite objections from local residents.
As well as running a huge number of inclusive sports teams, clubs and competitions, one of the Robins Foundation’s aims is to support the community in some of the most socio-economically deprived areas of South Bristol, including Knowle West, Hartcliffe, Withywood and Whitchurch.
READ MORE: New sports facilities planned for South Bristol after Robins Foundation secures playing fieldsREAD MORE: South Bristol community sports ground approved despite antisocial behaviour fears
The exhibition event is taking place at the Filwood Fields Pavilion between 3pm and 8pm on Wednesday, July 16.
Dan White, the chief executive of the Bristol City Robins Foundation, said the event would be a ‘key milestone in the journey’ to transform the Filwood Playing Fields into a ‘vibrant, inclusive hub for sport, learning and connection’.
“We are committed to ensuring this is a community-led project,” he said. “This land has always been a vital space for recreation and grassroots sport, and we want to make sure the community is not only heard, but actively shaping its future.
Plans for the transformation of Filwood Fields, proposed by Bristol City Robins Foundation(Image: Robins Foundation)
“We encourage as many people as possible to attend the engagement or take a moment to complete the questionnaire online,” he added.
People who attend the drop-in exhibition will be able to review the latest designs and provide comments either in person with printed questionnaires or digitally, using a QR code.
