Hope that community-led housing could transform derelict sites

Two unused locations in Stockwood could be home to one and two-bedroom accommodation, along with shared community gardens.

One of these locations is a council owned garage site in Whittock Square.

There are plans to build three shared hobby spaces/workshop units, two two-bed dwellings and two, one- bedroom first floor flats on the site.

These plans, which were recently presented at a community-led housing showcase event, have been put forward by a number of organisations including WeCanMakeHomes, Transition by Design and Black South West Network.

Had a great time presenting with our partner @WeCanMakeHomes at today’s #communityledhousing showcase event. Community wealth building (asset building) is central to addressing systemic inequalities. @clhwest @Bristol_HF @BlackSWNet pic.twitter.com/U8IC4GNhte

— Angelique Retief (@angeliqueretief) September 6, 2022

Shona Gough, a Whittock Square resident, commented: “I’ve lived here for four years, and I’ve never been around there. I don’t think anyone uses it!

“I haven’t heard of these plans, but I think they would be a positive thing for the area. It would be great to make use of the space and to have something there.”

The other proposed plan is for a site in Pensford Court, which is also home to unused garages.

The proposed plans include, four two-storey, two-bedroom units and one common house which could be used as a workspace for instance.

“People are fed up with the stack them high mentality,” said Mean

Melissa Mean, director of WeCanMakeHomes – a community interest company and community land trust in Bristol – said: “The housing needs of local communities are currently failing to be met by business-as-usual development.

“People are fed up with the stack them high mentality, where private developers walk off with huge profits and local communities get very little of what they actually need or want.

“WeCanMake and Black South West Network have been working together to explore how a more community-led approach could help diversify the kinds of homes and places that get built and create long-term community ownership and benefits.

“The design process and proposals developed so far are just the start of the conversation. But what they do show – on the old garages on Pensford Court, and the carpark on Queens Road – that communities are bursting with creative ideas about how to improve their neighbourhood and would welcome development where they have a real stake and real control.

“They also show that community-led development is about much more than just delivering units. It’s about place-making and pride.”

Graham Morris, the Conservative councillor for Stockwood, argued that these types of housing are what is needed in the area, saying “These sites are being used to dump litter”.

He continued: “The council hasn’t invested in these garages, they’re pretty much unused, and they’ve allowed these sites to become derelict.

“One and two-bedroom units are what’s needed. Stockwood has one of the lowest dwellings of two bed houses in Bristol. Eighty per cent of houses in the Stockwood ward are three bed or larger.

“We need to do something in Stockwood for younger people to get on the property ladder. For people in their early to mid-twenties who want to say local, there are very few one or two beds available.”

Morris said he is in support of the plans, as long as residents are also for the plans.

He added: “I’m happy to see the plans brought forward, but the council need to consult residents. I will either support or object depending on the opinions of residents.”

All photos: Rachel Sutherland 

Read next:

• Ward profiles 2021: Stockwood – ‘A vibrant community but lacking community spaces’
• Community marches on meadows in bid to save it
• Ambitious development plans for empty land near Temple Meads
• 12 Communities 1 Bristol podcast: Stockwood

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