Bristol could be about to end its wait for a purpose-built indoor arena after the local council agreed on plans for a £91m, 12,000 capacity venue to be developed on a derelict site near Bristol Temple Meads mainline railway station.

Once built, the arena will end Bristol’s stance as the only core city out of eight in the UK without a dedicated indoor arena.

Bristol City Council approved a funding budget for the project in April, with developers expecting the arena to be operational by 2017.

Following on from the Full Council’s approval of a funding package for the arena, the council will seek to appoint an arena operator to assist in taking the project forward.

Funds are being provided on behalf of the council in combination with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

The council believes that Bristol and its sub-region is in need of a venue to fill a gap in its cultural infrastructure, with the arena helping to attract more visitors to the city and spur economic growth.

Current plans see the arena constructed in a horseshoe shape, with its 12,000 capacity made up predominantly by 10,000 seats.

Consultancy firm Davis Langdon has calculated that the project to develop the facility will create in the region of 900 jobs, while also pumping £150m into the area’s local economy.