Plan unveiled to build homes on podium above SS Great Britain car park

A Bristol City Council-owned developer is moving forward with plans to build an apartment block over the car park for the SS Great Britain attraction on Bristol’s harbourside.

Goram Homes is looking for a ‘delivery partner’ for the project, which would see flats built on a ‘podium’ above the car park designated for visitors to the landmark, it has emerged.

The company said that the site on Spike Island had the potential for ‘sale or built to rent’ homes, but that affordable housing provision must be included - 30% in line with the local authority’s policies.

The car park on which the new homes would be built is currently subject to a lease with the SS Great Britain Trust. The Trust could continue to use the car park as the new homes would be built above it.

A brochure advertising the joint venture states: “The intention is to construct a podium over the existing car park, with apartments and private open space from first floor level.

“An initial proposal has been submitted to Bristol Local Planning Authority as part of a pre-application submission and feedback is pending.

“It is anticipated that the scheme will be medium-rise, with the number of apartments to be confirmed following pre-app feedback.”

The partner would be responsible for construction and sale of the homes. Profits would be shared between the two parties.

A listing for the joint venture on RightMove adds: “The site is located on Spike Island in Bristol, an area of great pride for the city and inextricably linked to history, being situated adjacent to Brunel’s great ship, the SS Great Britain - a popular exhibit and visitor centre in the waterside location.

“Enjoying stunning views over the Feeder Canal to the north, the site is also located adjacent to the Harbourside circular path - a popular pedestrian and cycle route providing links to Clifton, Wapping Wharf, the city centre and Millennium Square.”

The development is one of many that Goram Homes currently has in the pipeline across Bristol, including at the Dovercourt Depot in Lockleaze, a former school school site in Hengrove and next to Knowle West Health Park.

A number of homes has not yet been decided for the scheme, but on Goram Homes’ website, it states 110 are earmarked for the site.

A spokesperson for Goram Homes told BristolWorld: “The site is currently an operational car park that generates a revenue and is subject to a lease with the SS Great Britain Trust.

“Any development proposals will involve the reallocation of the existing parking with a residential development above. We will work with the SS Great Britain Trust to understand their aspirations for the site.”

Other planned developmers in the area include homes on the current Bristol Caravan Club site in Baltic Wharf. The Western Harbour project led by Bristol City Council will also see homes built at the western end of the Floating Harbour, stretching from Hotwells to Greville Smyth Park.