The University submitted its planning application to Bristol City Council in January 2020 following an extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholder groups including staff, students, local residents and neighbours, the wider community, and Bristol City Council. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Judith Squires, commented: “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 successful planning application outlined how the NUL – which will be built on the site of The Hawthorns, at the corner of Elton Road and Woodland Road – will play an important civic and educational role and provide an architecturally significant new building for the city, along with improved external public spaces.