Two key housing developments in Bristol that are adding another 103 affordable homes to the city have been completed. The first site has seen the regeneration of Lockleaze move a step closer, as housing provider Abri has built 37 affordable homes at its Shackleton Heights development. The second development has seen Abri working in partnership with Cubex to transform a once-derelict city centre site into 66 affordable homes at Coopers Court, part of the Cubex Finzels Reach development.
Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee at Bristol City Council, said:
“We’re committed to delivering the housing our city needs and I am pleased to see the completion of these new homes at Shackleton Heights and Coopers Court which will make an important contribution to our plans to deliver more affordable homes across the city.
“Working in partnership is the only way we will continue to tackle the housing crisis. Together we will increase the number of well-built and affordable homes in Bristol so that many more people will have a comfortable, cheap-to-run place they can call home.”
Situated along Crome and Constable Road in the northern suburb of Bristol, Shackleton Heights is a mixed tenure development of 74 homes in total, built with Speller Metcalfe.
The new homes have helped revitalise land that had been derelict for over ten years and a mix of house types have been built to help meet local housing need. Two bungalows have also been built as part of the development which are fully wheelchair accessible and can be adapted with lower light switches and window openers.
The Lockleaze local lettings policy, developed by Bristol City Council, means that members of the existing Lockleaze community, have been given priority for the new homes for social rent.
At Coopers Court in Finzels Reach, Abri has delivered 66 affordable homes with Cubex, with Willmott Dixon undertaking the construction. Both the Coopers Court and Shackleton Heights developments include grant support from Homes England, the government's housing delivery agency, as well as Abri’s own funding to make the homes affordable.
Sam Stone, Director of Land and Planning at Abri said:
“Urban regeneration is key to solving the challenges we face in providing more homes without encroaching on green space. These homes are a great example of how we can build good quality homes on formerly disused land with sustainable features that will help lower energy bills for customers.
“An investment on this scale requires a collaborative approach to be successful and working with Bristol City Council and our partners I’m pleased to see the finished homes looking so good. We hope this regeneration adds real value to the communities and look forward to seeing the neighbourhoods continuing to flourish.”
At the Shackleton Heights development, alongside Speller Metcalfe, Abri employed Emmett Russel Architects, Welling Partnership and Jubb Engineers on the scheme. At Coopers Court, Abri worked with Randall Simmons who acted as employer’s agent and Jones Lang LaSalle as project managers through development partners, Cubex.
Will Tomlinson, Development Director at Cubex said:
“We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone at Finzels Reach. The completion of Coopers Court marks an integral milestone in one of the largest mixed-use developments in the South West.
“Working with Abri, we have been able to provide intelligent, tech-enabled, sustainable homes at this once-derelict city centre site. Our consultant team and our contractor, Wilmott Dixon, have delivered an exemplar scheme, adding to a thriving community that we are extremely proud of.”
Mark Eaton, Divisional Director at Speller Metcalfe added:
“We’re delighted to see the handover of these high quality, affordable and sustainable homes. In the height of both a housing and climate crisis, we know how much of an impact the Shackleton Heights development will make in Bristol and are pleased to see it successfully completed.”