Residents lament lack of community spaces left in Speedwell

Speedwell used to be a bustling and vibrant community with a landmark public pool, soft play centre, local primary school and council housing.

But residents say that in recent decades, the area has been quietly losing its once-popular and vital public spaces.

In their place, an influx of private housing developments have slowly redefined the area and some fear they are eroding the sense of community.

Speedwell Baths were built in 1937 but closed by the council in 2005 when they were deemed “surplus to requirements”. The site lay vacant until it was sold to Crossman Homes in junction with Yarlington House to provide “much-needed social housing to the area”.

However, out of the 31 flats built in place of the art-deco building, just four (13 per cent) fall into the  ‘affordable’ category. This falls below Bristol City Council’s affordable housing target as set out in the Local Plan, which states 40 per cent of residential developments with 15 or more dwellings should be ‘affordable’.

Demolition of the art deco Speedwell Swimming Baths started in 2019  to make way for new homes – photo courtesy of Crossman Homes/Propaganda PR

A ten-minute walk from the former baths, Barton Court, a recently completed development, offers  Speedwell “luxurious apartment living”.

Similarly, when the former Strachan and Henshaw complex – that housed more than 40 independent businesses – was devastated by a fire last year, the site was bought by developer Douglas Homes to be converted into 71 high rise flats.

Local resident Shane, who has spent his life in east Bristol, says the closure of local facilities and redevelopment into expensive private housing is “as clear as the eye can see” in Speedwell.

“There are a lot of young families moving to the area to buy these flats but there’s nothing for the community anymore so no one knows each other,” Shane tells Bristol24/7.

“Since we’ve been here, Speedwell has lost a soft play, a fire station with a community venue, swimming pool and two supermarkets – all to private developers.

“Me and my partner grew up in Easton and used the baths as kids, so it’s a huge shame that’s it’s gone and our own children can’t follow in our footsteps and play in a local pool.”

Residents say that in recent decades, Speedwell has seen an influx of new developments – photo by Betty Woolerton

A few miles away in Eastville Park, there are calls for a new lido to be built to provide a space for the wider community.

But Shane points out that is still a car journey away for most people in Speedwell.

“Speedwell wants to keep Bristol green, as the pollution is bad around here, but it’s a foolish move to only have facilities in one place in east Bristol, which is a really big ward,” says Shane, who argues the proposed lido would serve an area that already has a lot of community spaces.

Lorraine Francis, a Green councillor for Eastville, is also tentative about the plans.

“The project is a controversial one, however, it would provide vital facilities to an underserved area of Bristol,” says Lorraine.

“So far in my post as councillor, public facilities in Speedwell hasn’t necessarily been voiced to me as a prominent issue. Despite this, I’m aware Speedwell has no specific services for children  and young people which is something I’d like to tackle.”

However, she also admitted that the lack of community spaces means there is no platform for the community to come together and, in turn, come forward with plans and ideas.

“When you don’t have a platform, it’s difficult to have confidence in your local councillor and feel like you can approach them,” added Lorraine.

Green councillor for Eastville Lorraine Francis is inviting residents on a walk to talk through issues in Speedwell with her – photo by Ellie Pipe

Angela, another resident, agreed, saying: “Communities need facilities in order to be a community.” Angela feels the drive to build more housing haa meant the community in Speedwell has been neglected.

Lorraine Francis is inviting local residents to join her on December 10 in Speedwell for a ‘wellbeing walk’ to discuss any  of these issues (email: cllr.Lorraine.Francis@bristol.gov.uk)

Main photo by Betty Woolerton

Read more: There is a new road in Speedwell called Cheers Drive

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: