Homes for living TV architect in visit to site for affordable housing
ACELEBRITY architect campaigning for quality council housing has scouted out a promising Bristol site.
George Clarke, known for Channel 4 shows like George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, visited Lockleaze to find out about a proposed development there.
He joined Bristol mayor Marvin Rees on Thursday for the tour of the Romney House site, which is in line for 268 new homes – 55 per cent of which will be affordable housing.
Last year, the series George Clarke’s Council House Scandal aired on Channel 4, exposing the lack of social housing and the urgent need to address the housing crisis.
He said: “My campaign highlighted how difficult it is to get decent council housing built, but it is essential that we all find a way.
“The country needs at least 100,000 new genuinely affordable homes every year for many years to come – we are miles off that.
“Bristol has developed some innovative ways to build more, and I hope we can work together to try and resolve the country’s massive housing crisis.”
Romney House used to be home to Lockleaze School and then council offices, but has been demolished to make way for 268 homes.
The scheme has outline planning consent and developers hope to submit a more detailed planning application in November 2020, aiming to start building by July 2021.
If all goes to plan, the first residents should be able to move into the first phase of housing in January 2023.
The development is being led by Goram Homes, the housing company established by the council, in partnership with Vistry Partnership.
Of more than half of the homes that will be designated as affordable, sizes will range from one-bed flats all the way up to four-bed family houses.
Mayor Mr Rees said: “I was delighted to welcome George to Bristol and show him the progress we have already made, and our plans to accelerate the building of more affordable homes across the city.
“Providing homes that people can afford and creating communities where people feel proud to live are two of our main goals.
“Like us, he understands how important it is to build housing that people can afford and create diverse and balanced communities where people can thrive.”
He highlighted the impact of coronavirus, adding: “This [aim] is now more important than ever, as we look to make sure that people who have been adversely affected by the pandemic are not further left behind.
“We hope that George will be able to tell his story as part of his next TV series, so we can all continue to increase the pressure on government to make sure affordable housing is a top priority for everyone.”
The Lockleaze development proposes housing sites at Bonnington Walk, Muller Road and Branwhite Close.
It is part of the council’s New Build Housing Programme, making use of council-owned land and regenerating brownfield sites.
More than 150 new council homes have been built so far and there are 133 currently under construction at Ashton Rise.
Stephen Baker, managing director at Goram Homes, said: “Delivering homes that Bristol is proud of, in developments that build communities and are celebrated for their design and sustainability credentials is what drives us.
“The new homes will benefit from a brand new community park which will form a wildlife corridor all the way from Stoke Park to Concorde helping to contribute to ongoing transformation of Lockleaze.”