A Place Steeped in History

The Heritage District sits at the very heart of the old airfield. To the west stands Spitfire Hangar – formerly known as Hangar 16U – once a hive of aircraft maintenance and now being reborn as a vibrant social hub for the community. Just north is Aerospace Bristol, home to the last Concorde ever to fly – a reminder of the pioneering spirit that defined this place. 

The Braemar homes at The Heritage District at Brabazon.

Today, that spirit inspires a new community. The Heritage District features beautifully designed homes by award-winning architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, set around six landscaped garden streets. Each street honours a remarkable individual whose quiet contributions helped shape aviation history. 

Pedley Gardens

Named after Elizabeth Pedley, an electronics engineer on Concorde and one of the few women in a male-dominated field during the 1960s. Her work on the supersonic jet’s complex electrical systems helped make Concorde’s groundbreaking technology possible – a true trailblazer for women in engineering. 

Sage Gardens

Phyllis Audrey Ellen Sage worked in the print department at the Bristol Aeroplane Company during the 1940s, producing technical manuals and blueprints that kept wartime production moving. In an era when precision was critical, her behind-the-scenes role ensured thousands of workers had the information they needed to build aircraft that defended Britain.

A black and white photograph of a large group of smiling men and women sat around a table of hot drinks and cakes in business attire.
Printing department at BAC showing Phyllis Sage ©The Sage family.

Smart Street

Ada Smart was part of the wing-making workshop during World War II, helping craft the components that gave British aircraft their strength and agility. Her story reflects the thousands of women who stepped into skilled engineering roles during the war, changing both aviation and society forever. 

Hawkins Close

Ed Hawkins dedicated 43 years to BAC and Airbus, working on almost every major aircraft produced at Filton. His career spanned the transition from propeller-driven planes to cutting-edge jets, embodying the innovation that kept Bristol at the forefront of aerospace engineering. 

Watts Drive

Brian Watts was the senior flight engineer on Concorde’s maiden UK flight on 9th April 1969 – a historic moment when the British-built prototype lifted off from Filton and ushered in the era of supersonic travel. Watts monitored critical systems during that 22-minute flight to RAF Fairford, paving the way for Concorde’s legendary service. 

Brian Watts Senior Engineer in the cockpit of Concorde with the pilot on its maiden flight.
Brian Watts, Senior Engineer on the Concorde Maiden Flight 2.

Yabsley Terrace

George Yabsley, band leader of the BAC Works Brass Band in the 1940s, brought music and morale to the factory floor. At a time when thousands worked long hours under wartime pressure, his band was the heartbeat of the community – a reminder that progress is powered not just by machines, but by people. 

BAC Works Brass Band 1940 showing band leader George Yabsley. Photo courtesy of Aerospace Bristol Museum.

Why These Names Matter

These streets celebrate ordinary people who achieved extraordinary things. From engineers and print specialists to musicians, their collective spirit helped create technologies that changed the world. 

The hidden heroes were identified by a ground-breaking immersive community history project, led by local organisation The Natural Theatre Company, as well as from submissions to YTL Developments by local residents. 

David Sage, son of Phyllis, after whom Sage Gardens is named, said: "Brabazon is steeped in history. It was one of the biggest aircraft factories in the world. It was the birthplace of Concorde. Thousands of ordinary people came together to make that history happen. And during the Second World War my mother was one of them! It is such a thrill for our family to know that her contribution to her community is being recognised in this way.” 

Rendering of new homes at The Heritage District overlooking a children's play park.
The Skylark homes at The Heritage District at Brabazon.

Andy Hawkins, Son of Ed Hawkins and a current resident at Brabazon, said: "I was one of the first new residents at Brabazon. With the first phase of new homes now nearly complete, there is a really lovely feel to the neighbourhood. 

“Much like in the Airfield’s aviation heyday there is a great community of people here. My father Ed worked here for 43 years, alongside pretty much most of my family and neighbours. Both parents were great examples of community builders in the road in Filton where I grew up. The fact that I now call this place home and there will be a street named after my father is really special and he would have absolutely loved it!” 

Discover Homes for Sale at The Heritage District

The Heritage District offers a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes set around these new garden streets. Each home combines heritage-inspired architecture with modern sustainable features. 

Explore new homes for sale at Brabazon and find your place in Bristol’s next chapter.