KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 20): YTL Group has reportedly submitted its planning application to local councils for a new development called the Hangout, a pop-up village which offers tipi-style restaurants, temporary retail and entertainment space in Bristol, the UK.

According to a report by the Bristol Post, the group, through YTL Corp Bhd's wholly-owned YTL Developments (UK) Ltd, plans to create a pop-up village which covers an 8.3-acre site at the north-east of the former airfield in Filton.

YTL Developments has submitted the application to South Gloucestershire Council, and if approved, it could be running by summer, potentially attracting 10,000 visitors per month.

According to the council's website, the application of YTL Developments was received on Dec 22, 2020, however the authority has not yet given a target date for the decision.

According to the report, the projected attendance to the venue will be 10,300 people per month, according to the planning application, with the creation of approximately 100 jobs to staff the site.

The plans outline measures for the new arena including temperature monitoring, and security protocols allowing for no contact and social distancing, said the report.

"While it is not clear how long it would 'pop up' for, YTL has sought planning permission lasting three years.

"The site would be divided into sections, similar to a festival — including restaurants, a food market, a bar and seating area, and toilets," according to Bristol Post.

The report said a 1.8-acre pop-up food and drink space will give well-known local pubs, restaurants and street food vendors the opportunity to tap into a new market and boost their business as well as enabling economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic, while a separate 2.5-acre section will be reserved as an event space called the Hanging Gardens of Brabazon.

At the time of writing, shares in YTL Corp had fallen 1.5 sen or 2.1% lower at 70 sen, valuing the group at RM7.77 billion.