£15million ‘high-quality’ makeover for tower blocks
TOWER blocks that loom large on the south Bristol skyline are set to get a major make-over. Five of Hartcliffe’s eight 11-storey council blocks, which were built in the early 1960s, are lined up for major improvement works.
Bristol City Council has put a contract worth £15 million out to tender, inviting contractors to put forward “innovative designs” to be considered to carry out the works.
The five buildings are all along Bishport Avenue, each housing about 60 flats: Willow House, Rowan House, Redwood House, Oak House and Chestnut House.
Hartcliffe’s other blocks are located in Hareclive Road, but are not part of this scheme.
The council’s tender notice states: “The five blocks at Bishport Avenue are a highprofile housing scheme and Bristol City Council is seeking innovative designs for these blocks and surrounding green space.
“The contractor must employ an architectural consultant to produce high-quality designs for the blocks and surrounding green space.”
It describes the works as “major”. The project is expected to start next year and could take three years to complete.
Works briefly listed as part of the scheme include structural repairs and roofing works, plus improvements to balconies, windows and doors, insulation, electrics, decor, ventilation, fencing, railings and paving.
Last year, a resident at Willow House told the Post their block had been plagued by “out of control” antisocial behaviour.
The anonymous resident spoke of how people felt scared to enter and leave the building.
The city council said the Bishport Avenue improvements works are part of a 10-year maintenance investment programme at its tower blocks and work is due to start in the first half of 2021.