‘Really mixed’ public response to plans for hundreds of homes at City Motors site

Developers hoping to build 380 new homes in Brislington say they’ve had a ‘really mixed’ reaction to the project - but added that it’s time for Bristol to embrace a changing landscape if the city is ever to fix its housing crisis.

Sovereign revealed their plans for a new housing complex in Castle Court, including four apartment blocks ranging from eight to 20 storeys, in May and launched a public consultation over the proposals this week.

The housing association said that ‘like most developments’ in the pipeline across Bristol, surrounding residents who weren’t so much in favour had two main bugbears - the heights of the buildings and car parking.

Representatives did their best to address these concerns and revealed fresh details about the project during two consultation events at Arnos Manor Hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday (July 19 - 20).

What’s included in the plans?

If Sovereign’s plans are approved, 350 - 370 homes would be built at the site - a mixture of 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments along with family houses.

These would be housed in a number of buildings which vary in height, but the tallest one would be up to 20-storeys high. Around 50% of the homes at the site would be classed as ‘affordable’.

There would be car parking spaces for ‘around a third’ of the homes built at the site, along with a car club, electric scooter parking and cycle parking.

Sovereign also hope to create a ‘landscape-led’ public realm along with non-residential space that could be used as a cafe or other community hub.

A Changing Places facility, or large, accessible toilet for severely disabled people, would also be provided at the site for the public to use - the nearest facility is located nearly three miles away in Cabot Circus.

Some of the homes have been designed to be accessible as well, or easily adaptable for disabled tenants.

The site borders the St Philips Mash area, which is set to undertake major generation over the coming decades.

‘At the moment there’s just this oasis of grey’

Corinne Moore, head of project development at Sovereign, told BristolWorld at the public consultation event: “I think what sets us apart from your typical developer is that we are a housing association and therefore driven by social purpose.

“We’re essentially custodians of the spaces we create, so they have to be sustainable, special and for the future - we want this to be a proper community.

“The reaction has been really mixed. Some residents are wholeheartedly in favour, particularly because of the provision of affordable housing. Some are on the fence, some might have lived here for 50 years and are fearful of change. They don’t like tall buildings, and I understand that.

“I was born in Bristol, and it’s never been a very ‘built-up’ city. But inevitably that’s starting to shift as we work towards trying to solve its housing crisis.”

Ms Moore said the tallest buildings would be positioned where they would have the least possible impact, alongside the river, with any shadows cast to the north across the water and away from surrounding houses.

Particular care had been taken to minimise impact on the streets nearest to the site, Edward Road and Chatsworth Road, which are home to rows of Victorian terraces.

“Another thing to remember about the development is that it’s landscape-led,” added Ms Moore.

“At the moment you’ve got Arnos Court Park, Arnos Vale Cemetery, the Sparke Evans park and sitting in the middle where we hope to build, there’s just this oasis of grey.

“The new site will connect these green spaces and mean more plants, wildlife - somewhere people can enjoy.”

A new landmark for Brislington?

Pete Stansfield, the lead architect on the project, said: “Tall buildings get a bad rep, but they are appropriate to cities. More than that, they are landmarks.

“I live in London and when I walk home from the Castle Court site towards Temple Meads, I look at The Boatyard [another apartment block currently being built on Bath Road] and I know I’m going in the right direction.

“We want to create a mixture of tenures where there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a young professional who wants enjoy city living, or a family just starting out.”

Mr Stansfield added that the new buildings would be made of brick, which is ‘more sustainable, and tends to look better as it ages’.

He added: “Generally, people who’ve been living somewhere for a while don’t like things to look tall or new. But we have to keep our eyes to the future.”

The first round of public consultation will run until August 26, with a second round commencing in the autumn.

More details are available to view on the Sovereign website.