News / southmead
‘Most significant step in 50 years’ – major Southmead regeneration gets go-ahead
A vision to transform an “unsafe and neglected” area of Southmead is now set to become the largest community-led housing project in the country.
Deana Perry, who has lived in the neighbourhood all her life and was involved in the work from the beginning, says this is the most significant step to be made in 50 years and will enable future generations to stay in the area they love.
The plans to build 120 homes, a new health centre, library and live-work accommodation units on Glencoyne Square were granted approval by Bristol City Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.
is needed now More than ever
The news was met with cheers of joy, as residents who have spent six years working on the project, watched the meeting via Zoom.
The 120 homes will be built in blocks of three to five storeys and the plan is for 85 per cent of the housing to be affordable, although this is not a legally binding contract. Delivery will be reliant on grant funding.
Explaining the need for the new homes, Deana says: “Our families arrived in the 1930s when the shiny new estate was built with its spacious houses and gardens. There has always been a great sense of family life in Southmead, but we need to accommodate our changing needs.
“The thing everyone’s got in common is that they want to stay in the community, but just need a more suitable home for the way they live. A boost at the heart of our community is just what we need to take the place we love in to the future and hearing we can go forward now after such an uncertain few months is just wonderful.”
The development will mean the loss of green space but is is hoped it will boost the area for the community and business. Image from Google Streetview
The idea to regenerate the centre of Southmead came from residents during a community-wide survey in 2014. They asked for action to address the critical need for affordable new housing and to breathe new life into the space. In 2015, a volunteer group of residents began the process.
The planning stages of the project received £176,000 of funding from Homes England and £100,000 from Power to Change. More than 40 community events and 400 individual conversations were held to identify the priorities and ideas of residents.
The proposed layout of the development on Glencoyne Square. Image courtesy of Nash Partnership
The project had been led by Southmead residents with community organisation Southmead Development Trust.
The trust’s CEO Amy Kinnear said: “Our residents had a vision to transform the centre of Southmead and we have all worked so hard on this for the last six years. It’s amazing to receive such good news during such a difficult time in lockdown – we’ve now all got something brilliant to look forward to.”
United Communities and Yarlington Homes are key partners in the project, which does not involve private developers.
The scheme will also incorporate offices, a launderette and green space with seating, trees, and community areas.
Mike Murch was born in the oldest part of Southmead in the 1930s. He is chair of the project.
Reflecting on his time in the neighbourhood, Mike says: “My family lived on Southmead Road which was a semi-rural area of Victorian houses and cottages. In 1938, we moved to one of the new council houses being built on the estate and I grew up during the war years as part of a flourishing community with a huge sense of pride and place.
“As the years have passed by Southmead has changed and a few of our areas have been left behind. At the moment, Glencoyne Square is a bit neglected, underused and has attracted anti-social behaviour. The project will see the square thrive and local businesses around it will benefit as a result.”
The plan is to build 120 new homes, as well as a library, health centre and work-live units. CGI image courtesy of Nash Partnership
Mayor Marvin Rees welcomed the news that the much-needed regeneration will go ahead.
Stephen Lodge, executive director of development and strategic asset management at Yarlington called it “a pioneering example of how people can have a real influence and collective voice on how they want their community to look”.
Residents say it will boost the area and provide much-needed new housing. CGI image courtesy of Nash Partnership
Main image courtesy of Nash Partnership
Read more: How one Southmead charity is adapting to support families during the pandemic
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