Support for Redland High School redevelopment – if affordable housing is increased

Plans to redevelop the historic Redland High School site have gained council support – but only if the provision of affordable housing is increased.

Described as a vital opportunity to restore a unique Grade II-listed building and grounds, the £25m project was hanging in the balance, before committee members overturned a recommendation to refuse the application at a meeting on Wednesday.

Their support is subject to the developers upping their affordable housing contribution, following what was slammed as an “insulting” approach.

The application to redevelop the site and build 43 homes still has to go to the Secretary of State for approval, because of heritage concerns from council officers and Historic England.

Historic photo of the former school that is due to be developed into homes. Image thanks to Paul Townsend

Speaking in support of the plans, Jo Davis, head of planning for property agents GVA, said: “The city is littered with vacant listed buildings and we have here a developer that has brought forward a sensitive project.”

She outlined an offer made by developers, Kersfield, at the final hour, which included provision for five shared ownership units at Redland Court, amounting to 11.4 per cent affordable – well below the council’s 40 per cent target.

Throughout negotiations, the company remained insistent that it could not incorporate affordable housing as part of the development – instead offering £500,000 towards provision off-site, which was later increased to £750,000.

Many councillors were concerned that settling for no affordable housing on site would effectively create a gated community.

“I would not expect them to get to the 40 per cent for this area,” said Tom Brook, councillor for Bishopston and Ashley Down. “But the way they are proposing it, either way, is far too low.

“It’s also a bit insulting to us, and to the city, how they put in a really low level of affordable housing and then put it up.

“We are in the middle of a housing crisis and every developer needs to pull their weight.”

Redland Court original design drawing

Kersfield’s Alex Cook told the committee the company is very passionate about the project, and in a position to start work soon, as he urged members to take a wider view and agreed to host garden open days so the grounds would not be lost to the public.

Committee chair Chris Windows pledged his support for the plans, saying “If this building deteriorates more, then the city will lose a wonderful bit of its history.”

Council officers maintained that the £7.5m Kersfield paid for the site was too much and criticised the company for not taking account of the council’s planning policy and failing to include provision of adequate affordable housing in the calculations.

Clive Stevens, councillor for Clifton Down, put forward a motion for the committee to support the application, subject to a section 106 agreement that the developer provides the five affordable homes on-site, plus a contribution of an additional £750,000 for affordable housing in another location.

This received unanimous support.

Read more: Plans to redevelop Redland High School recommended for refusal