Have your say on plan for 73 new homes at ex- factory site
LOCALS are being urged to have their say on plans to build 73 new homes in Speedwell.
A public consultation has launched to turn Exhibition House on North View into a development of one and two-bed homes.
The consultation launched on behalf of developer Sovereign Homes comes after plans to build on the site were refused in 2008. Exworks Ltd applied to demolish the factory and build 71 apartments and eight townhouses there, but were refused on the basis that there would be a lack of play space for children, and the proposed building would be “overbearing” to the area.
New plans by Sovereign Homes would see three detached blocks built – a design they say has been “informed by local context.” The buildings would be made over twostoreys, three-storeys and four-storeys.
Sovereign Homes says: “The proposal will deliver 73 one-bed and two-bed new homes and commercial units offering flexible work space for co-working/employment hub, over three detached blocks. The building is made up of twostorey, three-storey and four-storey elements.
“The design has been informed by local context as well as the existing building and material palette. A key component of the design approach has been to take architectural
cues from the oldest part of the building, most notably the characteristic saw-tooth roof.
“Vehicle access will be gained on the west of the site, via Hayward Road, there will also be additional pedestrian access between each of the three blocks. There will be a total of 18 car parking spaces provided as part of this development.
“The layout and siting makes efficient use of land and provides a communal landscape amenity space as well as private amenity space for each flat. The siting has also been carefully considered to provide privacy for new and existing residents.”
Sovereign Homes says the new development will address the “significant requirement” for affordable housing in South Gloucestershire. It continued: “There are currently 4,552 households in need of affordable housing on the South Gloucestershire housing register, with 240 considered in the highest priority of need.
“The most significant need in South Gloucestershire is for one bedroom properties which represent approximately 45 percent of the total affordable housing needs. Two bedroom properties represent approximately 33 percent of affordable housing needs. The proposal will provide a significant benefit to contribute towards meeting affordable housing needs for local households.”