News / Van Dwellers
New temporary site for van dwellers to open
A new temporary site for van dwellers is set to open in south Bristol.
There will be space for up to 15 vehicles on the now-demolished Novers Lane Infant School in Knowle West.
The council-owned site – which has been empty since the school closed in 2006 – will be occupied for an initial period of six months.
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A council spokesperson said: “We are making the Novers Lane site suitable for occupation by clearing overgrown vegetation and ensuring the provision of fresh water, temporary toilet facilities and rubbish disposal.
“Nearby residents have been advised by letter of our plans to open this short-term site in mid-September, with occupants signing up to a conduct agreement before coming on site.
“We will continue to monitor the impact of this site on traffic levels and the surrounding area.”
The former Novers Lane Infant School in Knowle West is being cleared ahead of van dwellers moving onto the site.
In the long-term, there are plans to redevelop the former school site, which is part of the Western Slopes, a vast green space earmarked for over 500 new homes.
The council spokesperson added: “People living in vehicles do so for a variety of reasons. Some do so through choice, but others through a need to find somewhere to live as a result of the housing crisis, and we have seen a growth in the number of vehicle dwellers in the city over the past 18 months.
“Our focus is on finding solutions that are sustainable and it is only through delivering more affordable homes across the city that we will tackle Bristol’s housing and affordability crises and reduce the need for so many people to live in vehicles.’’
This will be the second community of van dwellers in Knowle West, with another group temporarily living on part of the Northern Slopes.
Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a pilot project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo by Charlie Watts
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