YTL Group to accelerate work at Brabazon as part of a £4billion UK Investment Plan

YTL Group, parent company of YTL Developments, has announced a £4billion package of investment across its UK businesses over the next five years.

The investment plans will help accelerate the transformation of the former Filton Airfield into a thriving new town for Bristol, known as Brabazon.

The announcement was made during Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to the UK on Tuesday 15 January 2025 to celebrate the new Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade agreement between Great Britain and the Indo-Pacific region. 

During his trip, Prime Minister Ibrahim met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to discuss strengthening trade and investment ties between Malaysia and the UK. As part of the visit, YTL hosted a prestigious event in London, which brought together the Malaysian delegation, UK politicians – including Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP and Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson OBE and business leaders. 

Accelerating the Masterplan at Brabazon 

At the heart of YTL Group’s investment plans for the UK is Brabazon: the transformation of the 380-acre former Filton Airfield in North Bristol.

Brabazon is already a thriving new community, with almost 300 homes now occupied as the first phase, known as The Hangar District, nears completion. The additional funding will accelerate the delivery of the new town, which includes up to 6,500 new homes, three new schools, three hotels, over 3million sq ft of commercial space and up to 2,000 beds of student accommodation. 

The vision for Brabazon will also see the hangars where every UK Concorde was built reimagined as a new Arena for Bristol. This 19,500-capacity carbon-neutral entertainment venue and conferencing centre will put Bristol on the world stage for live music, entertainment and exhibitions.  

Brabazon will be connected to Bristol and beyond by major new infrastructure. A new railway station will connect Brabazon to Bristol Temple Meads in less than 15 minutes, while new MetroBus links, walking routes and cycle paths will help create the best-connected new city district in the South West. 

Supporting the UK Economy 

Brabazon alone is expected to be home to creative office spaces, laboratories and advanced manufacturing facilities that will deliver 30,000 jobs, contributing significantly to the local and national economy.  

“Our UK businesses are committing to invest £4bn into the country over the next five years.” said YTL Group Chairman, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.

“Brabazon is a rare opportunity to re-imagine how best to live, work and play in today’s world whilst ensuring that sustainability is built into the development from conceptualisation. Our expertise in our 70 years as a builder of Malaysia’s infrastructure will inform our strategies and methodologies in building this ambitious project. The strengthened trade agreements and cooperation between Malaysia and the UK will undoubtedly catalyse new partnerships with our supply chains and spur greater investments between the two countries.” 

Sustainability and Innovation 

Inspired by the Brabazon aircraft, a symbol of Bristol’s pioneering aviation heritage, the neighbourhood is designed with sustainability at its core.  

“Brabazon is a vision for the future, blending sustainable design with vibrant, connected communities,” said Colin Skellett, Group Chief Executive, YTL UK.

“This investment accelerates our plans to create a thriving destination, and we are excited to continue working with local stakeholders, businesses, and residents to bring this vision to life.” 

“As YTL Developments leads the delivery of the masterplan for Brabazon, we remain focused on ensuring Brabazon brings lasting benefits to both the residents of the new neighbourhood and the wider region.” 

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