We've expanded our investment in Bristol by agreeing to acquire all 130 homes in Phase One of The Fosseway development in Hengrove, making sure the scheme will now be delivered as 100% affordable housing.
The move will help meet growing demand for affordable homes in the city, with more than 18,000 households on the city’s housing register. Of the homes being delivered, 70% of the homes will be for social rent, with rents typically around 50% of market levels, while the remaining 30% will be available through shared ownership. We'll be using our own funding alongside grant funding from Homes England, the government's housing and regeneration agency, to make all the homes affordable.
Sally Ingham, Director of Development at Abri said: "We're delighted to be expanding our investment at The Fosseway by acquiring all 130 homes in Phase One. This agreement will enable us to provide many more high-quality affordable homes for people in Bristol, helping meet significant local demand while creating a thriving new community.
“Working alongside our development partners we're proud to be part of a development that will deliver affordable homes for people at different stages of life and make a lasting contribution to Bristol's housing needs."
The agreement has been reached in partnership with Goram Homes, Bristol City Council's housing company, and regeneration specialist Vistry, who are delivering the first phase of the development. Together with a planned second phase of 70 affordable extra care homes being brought forward by Anchor, The Fosseway will provide 200 affordable homes and create a multi-generational neighbourhood for families, first-time buyers and older people.
Working together for Bristol
Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of Bristol City Council's Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, added:
"Bristol's housing crisis means we need to do everything we can to increase the supply of genuinely affordable homes. This agreement is excellent news for the city and demonstrates what can be achieved when the council, housing associations and the private sector work together with a shared purpose.
“By securing all 130 homes in Phase One as affordable housing, alongside the 70 affordable extra care homes planned for Phase Two, The Fosseway will provide 200 affordable homes for local people. It will also create a truly multi-generational neighbourhood, giving families, first-time buyers and older residents the opportunity to live in a sustainable community that supports people at every stage of life."
Stephen Baker, Managing Director at Goram Homes, said:
"Our ambition has always been to maximise the contribution this development can make to meeting Bristol's housing needs. Thanks to this agreement with Abri, every home across The Fosseway will now be affordable, helping to meet the high demand for these homes in South Bristol. Importantly, we're also transforming a long-vacant brownfield site into a sustainable, multi-generational neighbourhood, creating a place where people can thrive."
Ronny Popat, Operations Director of Vistry Bristol, said:
"We're pleased to extend our partnership with Abri Group, while continuing our work with Goram Homes and Bristol City Council to deliver this important affordable housing development for Bristol. The Fosseway demonstrates the value of partnership-led delivery, transforming a long-vacant brownfield site into a vibrant new community. With a mix of affordable homes and specialist extra care accommodation, the development will help meet a broad range of housing needs while creating lasting benefits for local residents."
Creating a sustainable new neighbourhood
The Fosseway is transforming a former school site that stood empty for more than a decade into a thriving new neighbourhood, bringing much-needed homes and investment back to this part of South Bristol.
The first homes are already being completed, with a mix of apartments and family houses designed to meet the wide range of housing needs across Bristol. The new homes won't just be affordable to buy or rent. They're also designed to be affordable to live in, with energy-efficient features including solar panels and air source heat pumps helping residents reduce their environmental impact and potentially save on energy bills.
Earlier this year, in April, Bristol South MP Karin Smyth visited The Fosseway to see progress on Phase One of the development and hear about plans for Phase Two alongside project partners and local representatives.