Bristol council to spend £20m on works for huge housing development on old airport

Bristol City Council is planning to spend £20 million on public infrastructure works for a huge housing development on an old airport.

The council-owned Goram Homes developer is planning to build 1,435 homes, half of which will be affordable, at Hengrove Park.

The £20 million will be spent on enabling infrastructure, like upgrading junctions, creating better walking and cycling routes. The cabinet signed off plans to spend the money, funded by the West of England Combined Authority.

The former Whitchurch Airport, which is now a large park, has already seen some redevelopment with the South Bristol Community Hospital and the Hengrove Park Leisure Centre. The huge housing development will keep 22 hectares aside for a new public park.

Labour Councillor Craig Cheney, deputy mayor for finance, said: “This development is an exemplary project for the council, forming a mixed balance of tenures and a sustainable community in a thriving new neighbourhood in South Bristol. Hengrove Park includes 1,435 new homes, up to 50 per cent of which will be affordable, a 22-hectare new public park, plus high-quality community, sports, employment and commercial facilities.

“The new neighbourhood will be very well connected with a range of sustainable travel options for residents, including walking and cycling routes, bus and Metrobus, car clubs and also car parking. Hengrove Park highlights our continued commitment to develop high-quality and affordable housing in Bristol.”

Bristol Family Cycling Centre, which includes a running track used by Southville Running Club, will be redeveloped for housing. The council plans to relocate the cycling centre to Lawrence Weston, over eight miles away, but was recently unsuccessful in applying for government funding for this.

Cllr Cheney added: “While other parties are scrambling to find ways of refusing housing proposals, this Labour administration is tackling Bristol’s housing crisis head-on, delivering much-needed homes on unused brownfield sites.”