A building on the former site of a Bristol school is set to become temporary housing for refugees living in the city.
Investment firm FORE Partnership and care operator Amicala acquired the former grounds of St Christopher’s School at Westbury Park last year for an undisclosed sum.
Earlier this year the joint venture submitted plans to transform the site, which borders Clifton Downs, into an £85m retirement community and leisure hub.
While the companies await the outcome of the application, they and developer Socius are set to repurpose vacant buildings at the site, starting with the refurbished Hampton Lodge, into homes for people from Afghanistan, Sudan, Russia, and Ukraine who have been granted refugee status.
The building will offer fully furnished one-bedroom homes, where residents will have a minimum lease of 12 months and be offered at least 3 months’ notice ahead of any future development works commencing.
Those staying in the building will receive support from social enterprise ACH, an organisation dedicated to breaking down the barriers of entry to work and housing which refugee and migrant communities face.
Mike Dodd, project director at Socius, said: “As a partnership with FORE and Amicala, we are deeply committed to making a positive impact in the communities we work in, both socially and environmentally.
“While we work our way through the development process, we saw an opportunity to utilise an otherwise vacant site as much needed temporary accommodation for refugees in need of accommodation.”
ACH chief executive Fuad Mahamed added: “This partnership is most welcome and much needed. The refugee clients we support desperately need safe, comfortable, and affordable housing to begin the process of rebuilding their lives in this country. This project is an important contribution to this journey.”
As well as working with ACH, the development team is also providing housing to 90 property guardians, in addition to rent-free space to local groups such as Redland Scouts, and open outdoor space to the neighbouring Westbury Park School.
Aurélien Collignon from FORE said: “Creating lasting, positive social impact has been deeply imbedded into our vision as a firm since inception a decade ago. We love partnering with local social enterprises to deliver on that vision, and we have been incredibly impressed with the work of ACH, to ensure those in need can access quality accommodation while they set up their lives here in the UK.”
FORE and Amicala’s ambitions for the St Christopher’s Square project include the creation of an eco-friendly scheme providing more than 100 homes for older people.
Proposals also include a new leisure centre for residents of the retirement community and the wider local area, comprising a café, an urban village hall, a wellness centre featuring a hydrotherapy pool and gym, plus activity rooms.
Developer Socius, who were formerly known as First Base and were behind the regeneration of Bristol’s former soapworks building, have been appointed to manage the project.
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