A major step forward has been taken in the creation of a new harbourside neighbourhood in Bristol, as a joint venture agreement has been signed to deliver the 166-home Baltic Wharf development on Spike Island.

The deal ensures delivery of the long-anticipated scheme, with 40% of the homes designated as affordable housing. Of the 66 affordable homes, 50 will be available for social rent—the most affordable form of housing—and 16 for shared ownership.

These homes will be owned and managed by social housing provider Sovereign Network Group (SNG), and allocated via the Bristol City Council’s HomeChoice register to households with the greatest housing need.

“This is a pivotal moment for Baltic Wharf,” said Cllr Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Policy Committee at Bristol City Council. “With Goram Homes and The Hill Group’s partnership formalised, we can look forward to dozens more homes for those households with the greatest need of housing, in the heart of the city.

“We can also confirm that the affordable homes will be owned and managed by the social housing provider SNG.”

The project, unanimously approved by councillors in April 2024, will feature one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Alongside the residential offering, Baltic Wharf will include landscaped public areas that will open up a previously inaccessible section of Bristol’s floating harbour.

Plans also include new spaces for cafés and retail, creating a vibrant waterfront destination.

“Baltic Wharf demonstrates what’s possible when we unlock the potential of challenging sites through strong partnerships,” Cllr Parsons added. “The delivery of 66 affordable homes reflects Goram Homes’ commitment to working collaboratively to bring forward the homes our city so urgently needs, despite significant viability challenges for the Baltic Wharf development.”

SNG will use grant funding from the Homes England Affordable Homes Programme to support its purchase of the 66 homes. The development also received £2.4 million from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2), part of the One Public Estate programme aimed at unlocking complex sites.

“Baltic Wharf is set to be a fantastic new development,” said James Gibson, Regional Managing Director – West at SNG. “Thanks to Homes England funding, we will purchase 66 homes for social rent and shared ownership, ensuring this high-profile development helps towards meeting Bristol’s housing needs.”

Enabling works are set to begin imminently, with the site now moving into its delivery phase.

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