News / Housing
Council to spend £20m on works for housing development on old airport
Bristol City Council is planning to spend £20m on public infrastructure works for a huge housing development on an old airport.
The council-owned Goram Homes is planning to build 1,435 homes, half of which will be affordable, at Hengrove Park.
The £20m will be spent on enabling infrastructure, like upgrading junctions, and creating better walking and cycling routes.
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The cabinet have now signed off plans to spend the money, funded by the West of England Combined Authority.
Now a large park, the former Whitchurch Airport has already seen some redevelopment with South Bristol Community Hospital and Hengrove Park Leisure Centre.
The huge housing development will keep 22 hectares aside for a new public park.
Plans for Hengrove Park are for 1,435 homes, half of which will be affordable – map: Bristol City Council
Labour councillor Craig Cheney, deputy mayor for finance, said: “This development is an exemplary project for the council, forming a mixed balance of tenures and a sustainable community in a thriving new neighbourhood in south Bristol.
“Hengrove Park includes 1,435 new homes, up to 50 per cent of which will be affordable, a 22-hectare new public park, plus high-quality community, sports, employment and commercial facilities.
“The new neighbourhood will be very well connected with a range of sustainable travel options for residents, including walking and cycling routes, bus and Metrobus, car clubs and also car parking.
“Hengrove Park highlights our continued commitment to develop high-quality and affordable housing in Bristol.”
Bristol Cycling Centre, which opened in 2016 and includes a running track used by Southville Running Club, will be redeveloped for housing.
The council plans to relocate the cycling centre to Lawrence Weston, over eight miles away, but was recently unsuccessful in applying for government funding for this.
Cheney added: “While other parties are scrambling to find ways of refusing housing proposals, this Labour administration is tackling Bristol’s housing crisis head-on, delivering much-needed homes on unused brownfield sites.”
Main photo: Bristol City Council
Read next:
- Council to build 1,400 homes including hundreds of council houses on park
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- Plans for new permanent ‘gypsy traveller’ site revealed
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