News / Affordable Housing
Affordable eco-housing to be built on disused garage plots
An area in Horfield is set to be transformed by a new, eco-friendly housing development.
A row of nine, one-bedroom, two storey homes will be built on unused council-owned garage plots on Bell Close.
Plans for Gap House, an innovative new concept to help deliver more affordable housing in Bristol, have been approved by Bristol City Council’s Development Control Committee.
This new concept is the latest in a series of innovations being explored by Bristol City Council and the Bristol Housing Festival to tackle the city’s housing crisis.
A row of nine, one-bedroom, two storey homes will be built on unused council-owned garage plots on Bell Close in Horfield. Photo credits – BDP
The homes will be cost-effective, eco-friendly and largely factory-built using modern methods of construction (MMC).
There is set to be minimal disruption for the existing neighbourhood as homes will be built off-site before being brought to the site for the final stage of construction.
Each home will be highly insulated with low-energy lighting to support minimal heating requirements and will use renewable energy generated by solar PV panels and air source heat pumps, resulting in low environmental impact and running costs.
The homes, which have been commissioned and will be funded by the council, have been designed by global design practice BDP and will be delivered by Etopia.
Two other sites using MMC for council housing have also recently been given planning approval in Bristol.
Twelve homes will be built on Romney Avenue, in Lockleaze on the edge of the Stoke Park Estate.
Another dozen one-bedroom apartments will be built on a brownfield site at the heart of the Inns Court community in Knowle West.
It is hoped construction will start on site across all three projects in spring 2023.
Tom Renhard, cabinet member for housing delivery and homes at Bristol City Council, said: “We’re committed to delivering 1,000 new affordable homes each year by 2024 to help meet the need for high-quality, sustainable new homes in Bristol.
“It is widely recognised that achieving our ambition requires courage, innovation and collaboration. The Gap House concept will revitalise a disused garage plot and make sure that council land is best used to create value for Bristol citizens, delivering much needed affordable homes whilst tackling the climate and ecological emergencies.
“If the project is a success, then we will look to identify further sites for Gap Houses in the future.”
All photos: BDP
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