In a joint collaboration, we, alongside Southmead Development Trust and United Communities, have been granted planning permission to build 120 new homes at Glencoyne Square in Southmead, Bristol. The regeneration of the area is set to be one of the country’s largest community-led schemes, with 85% of the new homes being made affordable.
The planning application was confirmed by Bristol City Council on 13th May. Southmead Development Trust is also working with architects Nash Partnership and contractor EG Carter to enable the scheme. The planning stages of the project have also received £176,000 of funding from Homes England.
Under the proposals, Abri will manage 60 of the new homes, a further 30 will be with Southmead Development Trust and 30 homes will be managed by United Communities. Phase one of development will consist of one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent, shared ownership and market sale. The development will also feature a purpose-built health centre, new library and improvements to public areas.
The Southmead Regeneration Project began in 2014 after a group of residents came together to create a vision of how Southmead could be improved. The regeneration team is made up of local residents and the Southmead Development Trust, a registered charity also run by residents. To understand the priorities for the regeneration, the entire estate was asked for their views by knocking on each door and hosting consultation events, resulting in nearly 975 completed surveys.
Stephen Lodge, Executive Director of Development and Strategic Asset Management for Abri commented:
“Southmead is a pioneering example of how people can have a real influence and collective voice on how they want their community to look. We’re thrilled that the plans can now go ahead and as a key development partner we’re looking forward to creating the community’s vision.
“As well as providing much needed affordable housing, what makes the project so special is the involvement of the community at every stage. Working with Southmead Development Trust we’ll ensure the views of the community are at the heart of this exciting regeneration.”
Southmead Development Trust’s CEO Amy Kinnear said, “Our residents had a vision to transform the centre of Southmead and we have all worked so hard on this for the last six years. It’s amazing to receive such good news during such a difficult time in lock-down – we’ve now all got something brilliant to look forward to.”
The new homes continue Abri’s development in Bristol which includes 26 completed apartments at Filwood Park and 28 homes at Brook Road. A further 75 affordable homes are under development at Castle Park View, 31 homes at Speedwell Swimming Baths, 36 homes in Greenbank at The Chocolate Factory and 42 apartments on Dean Street.