Land and buildings in Bristol suitable for small residential developments are being sought by socially focussed investment group Bristol & Bath Regional Capital (BBRC) as it aims to help tackle the city’s housing crisis.
The group, owned and supported by regional organisations including Bristol City Council, the University of the West of England and Voscur, the support and development agency for Bristol’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, has teamed up with Bristol-based property sector entrepreneur Gavin Bridge to create a series of new affordable housing schemes.
Bristol & Bath Regional Capital said the new partnership aimed to harness Gavin’s development expertise and track record to drive its BBRC Homes subsidiary forward and accelerate the pace of delivery of innovative and affordable housing schemes.
BBRC Homes, a Community Interest Company, is focused exclusively on delivering high-impact housing schemes, including affordable homes, mixed communities, community-led housing, intergenerational living and key worker homes.
Mr Bridge, pictured, launched his own property development and urban regeneration firm Spatia last month after 17 years as a founder-director of Bristol-based Cubex – the developer behind the city’s highly successful Finzels Reach scheme on the 4.7-acre former Courage Brewery site.
Spatia’s first project, called Frome Gateway, will redevelop a mainly industrial site bounded by the M32, Pennywell Road, Riverside Park and Cabot Circus car park, into a balanced new neighbourhood with up to 600 new sustainable homes.
Mr Bridge said the partnership with BBRC Homes would challenge the status quo, raise the bar and instigate real change, transforming places, communities and lives by creating sustainable, inclusive neighbourhoods.
“One of the themes I set out when launching Spatia this year was collaboration with partners and I’m proud that Spatia is working with BBRC Homes, an impact developer, in a new venture with exemplary colleagues and supporters. We shall be announcing more during the year,” he said.
“However, the starting point is always sites. We are looking for land and buildings in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset, either with or without planning, for developments of at least five homes and ideally 50 or more homes.
“We are also keen to talk to charities, registered providers and community groups who have land and buildings and require a trusted funding and development partner.”
BBRC chief executive Ed Rowberry added: “There is cash in the bank, and we’re keen to acquire our first sites over the next three months so really like to hear from anyone with opportunities.
“Bristol & Bath Regional Capital’s ambition is to become a significant and commercially-sustainable driving force in the development of the region, catalysing regional change through civic-led, commercially-focused and innovative investment.
“One of the ways we do this is through the development of new homes and sustainable communities in the West of England, working either in partnership with charity, community and faith groups, or as a sole developer.
“Gavin’s industry profile and track record of delivery will be a real boost for BBRC Homes as we look to build on our current development pipeline and accelerate change though new development and collaboration with partners.”
BBRC Homes has already worked on the mixed-tenure Dunmail housing scheme in Southmead, pictured, top. In conjunction with HAB Housing and United Communities, the site will create 160 homes ranging from one and two-bedroom apartments to two, three and four-bedroom houses on a disused primary school.
The scheme will have green infrastructure, including sustainable food production, low carbon energy sources and new cycle routes.
BBRC and the Southmead Development Trust are seeking to buy 41 of the to lease them out and develop a locally owned and managed ethical market rental offer in support of local projects benefiting the community.
BBRC is also working with the Hillfields Family & Community Trust in Bristol to build 10 homes for social rent.
