Almost 100 new homes planned for an empty car park of the old Somerfield supermarket headquarters in South Bristol will now all be classed as ‘affordable’ and available through a housing association after the developers sold the land.
MCR Property Group had already got planning permission for 91 new homes on the car park of the old Parkview office site on Whitchurch Lane in Hengrove, but only 30 per cent were going to be available to people on the housing waiting list.
Now, before they started building them, MCR has sold the land to a different developer - Keepmoat Homes. And Keepmoat have teamed up with housing association Bromford to change the plans so that instead of only 30 per cent, now all 100 per cent of the flats and homes will be let by Bromford.
Read more: Imperial Apartments situation 'requires further improvement', says cabinet member
The huge Parkview campus has been a controversial development ever since the building was shut down and the staff working in the offices - including hundreds from Bristol City Council - were locked out when the building’s owners got into financial trouble back in 2017.
MCR Property Group took it on and began converting the offices into flats, with one half of the building turned into the Imperial Apartments development, and flats on the other side being sold privately, many through a shared-ownership scheme.
The Parkview campus also had large grounds and a big car park, and MCR won permission to build new homes on much of the car parks in principle, before getting detailed permission to build 17 one- or two-bed flats and 74 new houses of two, three or four bedrooms.
MCR initially told planners they couldn’t afford to have of those 91 new homes classed as ‘affordable’, and available to people on the housing waiting list, but eventually won planning permission after assigning 30 per cent as ‘affordable’.
Now, with the sale to Keepmoat and the deal with Bromford, 100 per cent will be ‘affordable’.
“Developments like this one at Parkview help meet the growing demand for new affordable homes in Bristol, as house prices are 12 times average incomes,” said Bromford’s head of development, Wyn Bevan.
“These homes will provide local people with the chance to move into a modern, quality home, where they can become part of their community. We’re always looking for new opportunities to provide affordable homes and so are delighted to be working in partnership with Keepmoat Homes at Parkview.
“We’re looking forward to seeing these homes take shape and to start welcoming customers into their new homes,” he added.
The regional boss of Keepmoat, Charlotte Goode, said people should be moving into the new homes in the summer of 2023, with work due to start in the New Year.
“We’re thrilled to have purchased brownfield land in Bristol which will be transformed into 91 quality homes, set amongst picturesque surroundings to be enjoyed by residents and the local public alike,” she said.
“This desirable hotspot will provide more choice for residents in Bristol and is set in an ideal location for commuters, families and couples.
“The land acquisition of Parkview is another positive step towards our further growth in the region. We look forward to making positive relationships within the community, with the aim of completing our first set of homes in the summer of 2023,” she added.
Read next:
Council chief admits he has 'very little power' to make developers build affordable homes
How affordable are the 'record levels of affordable housing' being built in Bristol
Mayor defends affordable housing numbers at Castle Park View
Developers 'have to deliver' affordable housing for Bristol says Mayor
New plans for 350 homes in centre of Bristol - but only 20 per cent 'affordable'
To keep up-to-date with the latest South Bristol news, join our community of subscribers with my South Bristol newsletter here.
