Work has finally begun on the last plots of wasteland left over from the closure of South Bristol biggest tobacco factory - with developments that will provide jobs and homes for local people.
Housing association Curo is starting work to build 70 new affordable homes at Imperial Park, on a plot of land between the new Aldi and the entrance to the retail park. And work is already underway to build an 80-room nursing home on the other half of that plot, on the land next to the Aldi car park.
The developments represent the final part of the redevelopment of the huge Imperial Tobacco factory and headquarters which was built in the late 1960s and finally opened in 1974 as Wills Imperial Tobacco Factory, as the company relocated from all the factories in Bedminster and Ashton Gate to the new site on the edge of Hartcliffe.
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The factory closed in 1990 and was eventually demolished in 1998 to make way for the Imperial retail park, although some of the original headquarters was preserved and converted into the Lakeshore residential development. The final part of the site left as wasteland for the past 25 years was on the southern edge of the site, between the access road to the retail park and the Hengrove Way dual carriageway.
Numerous plans were proposed for the site, and in August 2020, Aldi opened a new supermarket on the east of the plot. In the last 18 months, council planners have given permission to two developments on the rest of that land.
Housing association Curo has teamed up with housebuilder Vistry Partnerships on a £16.4 million project to build a mixture of 70 apartments and houses, ranging from one bed to three bedroom homes on the land accessed from the main roundabout entrance to Imperial Park.
Of the 70 new homes, 12 will be let at social rent, 29 will be let at ‘affordable rent’ - all let through the council’s HomeChoice system to people on the housing waiting list, while the remaining 29 will be sold under a shared-ownership scheme with the housing association.
Curo are putting in £12 million to the project, with support from the Government through a Homes England grant, as well as £700,000 from Bristol City Council to make sure the development is classed as ‘100 per cent affordable’. “We’re looking forward to building another 70 new affordable homes for local people in Bristol, where we’re already delivering nearly 300 homes across a number of development sites currently,” said Curo’s chief executive Victor da Cunha.
“This sustainable development will make a significant contribution towards a low carbon future for Bristol, while helping more families to live in high-quality homes either through affordable homeownership or life-long tenancies. The homes will also cost less to run, helping to tackle fuel poverty – especially important in these uncertain times with skyrocketing energy prices,” he added.
Curo are looking for ideas from local people in Hartcliffe and Bishopsworth to name the new development. “We’d really like to hear from local people about a name for our new housing development – we’re keen to choose an idea that celebrates the local area and its history and you can find out more about how to get involved and submit your suggestions here,” said Mr da Cunha.
The council’s housing chief, Cllr Tom Renhard, said he was pleased 70 affordable homes were being built on a brownfield site. “Our city continues to be gripped by the national housing crisis leaving many people without a safe and secure place to live,” he said.
“We must build more homes in the right places if we’re to meet the needs of the city and move people out of temporary accommodation. Bristol City Council is committed to building more affordable homes, quicker – that’s why, aside from our own building programme we’re also supporting our housing association partners with grants to help accelerate delivery of these much-needed new homes.
“I’m really pleased Curo is using this brownfield site to provide another 70 new sustainable and affordable homes for Bristol, helping to lift and improve the area for existing residents too, and drive investment in the local economy,” he added.
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Curo have trumpeted the eco-credentials of the new homes they are building, saying they will be cutting edge in terms of being environmentally friendly, with the aim to keep the energy bills as low as possible for the people who live there. “The new homes will be fitted with air source heat pumps, a low maintenance and more environmentally friendly alternative to gas boilers,” said a Curo spokesperson.
“Homes for social and affordable rent will also feature photovoltaic solar panels, helping to reduce the future residents’ carbon footprint and energy bills. Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points will be available around the new neighbourhood, which will also feature a central area of green open space with trees, shrubs and natural wood play equipment,” she added.
Work has already begun next door, on a plot of land accessed from the road into the Aldi car park, on a new 80-bed care home, being built by Hampshire-based care home business Cornerstone Healthcare - who are also proclaiming the green credentials of its development.
It’s the first time Cornerstone have expanded into the South West, and they are describing the development as a ‘green eco-home’, which will bring 140 jobs to the local area. “The ‘green’ building has been designed to be thermally efficient, meaning it will retain heat in the winter and stay cool in summer for longer,” said a spokesperson.
“The build will have solar panels on the roof to provide electricity and use environmentally friendly air source heat pumps to heat or cool the building,” he added.
“The home, which will bring 140 jobs to the local area, will also have a beautiful living roof. This rooftop garden is not only a wonderful feature for residents but will also benefit the local wildlife and, alongside a sustainable drainage system which will manage rainwater attenuation."
Virgin Money is funding the multi-million pound project, which is due to be finished and open in the winter of 2023, with the first residents requiring specialist care moving in by the end of next year.
“To have the backing of Virgin Money on what is an exciting and innovative project paves the way for future of care home development,” the boss of Cornerstone, Johann van Zyl, said. “Both Cornerstone and Virgin Money are committed to reducing their carbon-footprint making this the perfect collaboration and hopefully the first of many,” he added.
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