Construction has started on one of South Bristol’s largest new developments which will include 107 affordable homes and seven new commercial units.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, visited The Old Brewery in Southville to mark the start of the build and to hear more about the plans to regenerate the area and provide much-needed affordable homes for the community.
Developed by Abri, one of the south’s largest housing providers, the ceremony marked the first stages of construction which follows initial demolition work and preparations to retain some of the existing structures that are being refurbished.
As part of Abri’s strategic partnership with Homes England, grant funding has been used to make all the homes affordable. The properties will be a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments with 98 homes available to buy through shared ownership and nine for social rent.
In addition to making use of a brownfield site, The Old Brewery will have provision to connect to Bristol City Council’s District Heat Network when it reaches Southville, to provide residents with low carbon heat.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said, “It’s great to see these homes starting to be built and to hear about the plans for the community. Bristol has a twin challenge of needing to deliver more homes, while also addressing the climate crisis. The Old Brewery will help us to achieve our ambitious goals by regenerating formerly disused land and providing vital affordable homes in a place where people can use active travel options.”
Gerald Brannigan, McLaughlin & Harvey Senior Project Manager, commented, “We are delighted to start construction at our The Old Brewery project. In the coming days, works will progress with 200 plus CFA piles to carry a structural steel podium. A light gauge steel frame will create 108 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; all aligning to the Mayors strategy on new homes.”