Demolition of Speedwell Swimming Baths has started following a deal between a building firm and a housing association to provide much-needed affordable homes for East Bristol.
Bath-based Crossman Homes is re-developing the high-profile site on Whitefield Road with Yarlington Housing Group. 
Bristol City Council has allocated £1,860,000 to Yarlington to develop 31 units of one and two-bed flats for rent as part of the Affordable Housing Grant scheme.
Crossman Homes managing director Brad Hughes said: “The demolition of the derelict swimming baths marks an important milestone in this exciting development. The site has been vacant since 2005 and has become a dangerous eyesore, attracting anti-social behaviour which has been a real concern to the local community.”
Speedwell Baths was built in 1937 but closed permanently in 2005 when deemed surplus to requirements by Bristol City Council.
Only the metal roof structure remained of the original interior. As a result, conservation and repair of the existing baths was described as “wholly unrealistic” by representatives of Historic Pools of Britain.
Since 2005 two plans to redevelop the site for residential have failed to go ahead for financial reasons. Crossman Homes will now build a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments on the site, with completion expected to be towards the end of next year. 
Brad Hughes added: “We are delighted to be instrumental in pushing forward this development which will provide much-needed social housing for the area. The new scheme has been designed to enhance the area and reflects the style & shape of the previous building in a contemporary way.”
Yarlington Housing Group head of development Wyn Bevan said: “Yarlington Housing Group is proud to be a part of this exciting development, seeing the derelict swimming baths being turned into much-needed affordable housing.
“Not only this, it will help build a more vibrant local community. This scheme is part of Yarlington’s geographical expansion into Bristol to help solve the UK’s housing crisis and showcases our commitment to providing affordable housing.”
