More than a hundred children are living at a converted office block in south Bristol.
A total of 87 children under the age of five are currently living at the controversial Imperial Apartments in Hengrove, with a total of 21 children over the age of five living there, according to data released by Bristol City Council. Despite an officers’ warning back in April 2021 that no child over five should live at the two-bed units created in the first phase, this is the first time the council has released the data for older children.
There are 465 units of private rented accommodation at Imperial Apartment and Bristol City Council rent out 316 of them, more than two-thirds of the total. With 108 children there in total now, this would mean that up to a third of those have children living in them.
Read more: Mum living at Imperial Apartments worried after finding 'lots of mould' in baby's room
Even though the council is renting the flats, Caridon is the overall landlord and is responsible for ongoing management of the site, building and tenancies.
Sarah Classick, councillor for Hengrove and Whitchurch Park, said she was surprised there are that many children aged more than five living at Imperial Apartments. She said: "We were aware there were children on site because facilities have been built for them.
"I think the council need to hurry up with this review. It is really important they are reviewing the current living standards there and providing support for the families there, especially those that have raised concerns.
"Appropriate support for those families needs to be put in place or, if families are feeling that is not the right place for their children to be living, there needs to be support from the council to help them move and find somewhere suitable.
"There is still a long way to go, but they are starting to show they are taking the concerns seriously - if that translates into action that is another thing. It feels they are acknowledging at least now."
READ MORE: MP says Imperial Apartments is example of ''substandard' housing
In January, Bristol South MP Karin Smyth asked the council to stop housing families with children at Imperial Apartments, adding that all the families it has already housed at the complex should be moved out as soon as possible. She is so worried about living conditions at the site that she then raised this issue in Parliament, describing the site as an example of deeply worrying "substandard" accommodation.
Last month, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees announced the council is to pause housing families with children there, admitting there are "some challenges" at the site. The mayor wouldn't say whether the existing families at the site would be moved out, but that the review will look into this.
The councillor said her understanding was that it was against policy to have children over five in some of the smallest properties, but that the council has now told them this was advice.
Do you live at Imperial Apartments? What do you think about living there? Our reporter Estel would love to hear from you. You can contact her directly on estel.farellroig@reachplc.com
The question about children needing to be under five was addressed in several meetings between Caridon and Bristol City Council towards the end of 2020.
In a meeting in October 2020, it was said: "Not a blanket ruling. This is what we are going for, for the smaller two beds though. There are units that are not suitable for children of school age and above. Judge on case by case though.
"Trickier when BCC are looking to make a direct offer and/or discharge duty. Smaller units risk of appeals and challenges if not careful about right family make up."
Read more: Take a look inside controversial housing development
And in another meeting that same month, it added: "2 bed eligibility – confirmed that Caridon can accept families with children over 5 in all of the 2 beds apart from 20 excluded which are only suitable for children under 5 and would be able to stay there even after children are older than 5."
At the start of the year, information released by the council stated that there were 82 children under the age of five living at the development. At the time, the council wasn't able to provide details on children aged above five.
In recent months, BristolLive has reported on many concerns from residents at the former Parkview office complex in Hengrove - now known as Imperial Apartments. BristolLive's understanding is that most tenants at Imperial Apartments are private tenants who were supported into private housing by the council.
Among the concerns raised about Imperial Apartments, a young mum claimed 'they are the worst' and a first-time dad said he feels so unsafe living there that he sleeps with a hammer and a screwdriver next to his bed, with other residents comparing the development to storage facilities and even a prison.
Another young mum claimed that her daughter ended up in hospital because of mould at her flat, while another claimed she is being sexually harassed "all the time".
Bristol City Council has previously admitted that the use of a former council office block in south Bristol for housing is "not an ideal option" and city mayor Marvin Rees described it as 'the least worst option'.
Developer Caridon was approached to comment on the development's suitability for families with children but no response was obtained.
Caridon has previously said it offers a large community development where residents live together and interact and recognised this isn’t for everyone, but stressed there is a very positive atmosphere in the building.
The developer has previously said it has had a very small number of tenants who have raised concerns about living there and that, in those cases, they have helped in any way they can and sought "amicable solutions for issues raised".
The developer has also defended the size of the apartments - describing them as adequate - and that the site has several facilities including a Zen garden or a "very well used" soft play area which tenants can use free of charge. There are also two free gyms at the site - with a third one due to open - and three IT suites.
Read more: Imperial Apartments houses more than 80 children under the age of five
Read more: Take a look inside controversial housing development
