Council to build 1,400 homes including hundreds of council houses on park

A major change to plans for a huge housing scheme in south Bristol has been revealed, two months after the council halted its search for developers to build it.

Hengrove Park, a “flagship” project to build 1,400 homes, has now been handed to the council-owned house-building company, Goram Homes.

Last year, Bristol City Council launched its search for a long-term partner to build Hengrove Park, which was given outline planning permission in early 2020.

However, a “new approach” for the scheme was later announced before Christmas, scrapping the procurement process and the council’s search for bidders.

Mayor Marvin Rees and Tom Renhard, the cabinet lead for homes, explained at the time the change of tack was to “pursue an approach that is more likely to meet the council’s strategic priorities for housing in the city”.

The development located on the site of a former airport will now comprise of at least 670 new council houses – image: Google Maps

Instead of an external developer, the council’s own housing company will now be delivering the project, giving the council “greater control over how its land is used and the type of homes built on it”.

The scheme, which sits on the former site of Whitchurch Airport, promises community and sports facilities and education and employment space, as well as hundreds of homes.

These plans will remain in place, with the council not needing to resubmit a planning application for the site.

But more of the homes built will now be affordable as part of a scheme that the council hope will “supercharge the council’s delivery of affordable housing across Bristol”.

The number of dwellings earmarked for council housing is set to increase from 30 to 50 per cent, putting the site at the forefront of Rees’ pledge to build 1000 affordable homes a year by 2024.

West of the the site earmarked for major development sits Hengrove Mounds Nature Reserve – photo: Ellie Pipe

These homes, originally set to take a decade to build, will be delivered in a “significantly” shorter timescale.

Renhard said some could be delivered in a matter of months and the rest “largely” built over the next five years.

He said: “By working closely with Goram Homes, we can make sure that council land is best used to create value for Bristol’s citizens, helps to tackle the climate and ecological emergencies, and addresses inequalities in access to affordable housing.”

The homes will harness “innovative” methods of construction, with an increased proportion using low-carbon methods of construction to help to transform Hengrove Park into “a high-quality, sustainable neighbourhood and public park”.

Goram Homes are set to built houses on the caravan site at Baltic Wharf – image: Goram Homes

With developments in Baltic Wharf, Lockleaze and Castle Park, the addition of Hengrove Park will double Goram Homes’ number of sites across Bristol.

Stephen Baker, managing director of the four-year-old Goram Homes, said: “Hengrove Park is a fantastic opportunity for Goram Homes to build a highly sustainable, inclusive development which includes affordable homes in the numbers that our city needs.

“If our business plan and development pipeline is approved by Cabinet, we’ll work with council officers and the community to get started as soon as possible.”

The Goram Homes business plan, including the proposals for Hengrove Park, will go to Bristol City Council’s Cabinet for approval in March.

Main image: Bristol City Council

Read more: Reprieve for popular park earmarked for housing

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