A major regeneration project on the edge of St Pauls that will bring much-needed new homes and business space to the area is to get underway this summer after several years’ delay.
The scheme by Places for People, the national place-making organisation, will transform the former Dove Lane industrial site on what is a high-profile city centre gateway site close to the M32. 
Places for People recently received planning consent from Bristol City Council on five applications on 1.6 hectares of vacant land around Dove Lane, Ervine Terrace, Wilson Place and Cheapside.
In total, these applications will provide 230 new homes, 893 sq m of retail space and 1,218 sq m of office space as well as improved landscaping across the site, pictured in a CGI image.
The new homes will range from one to three bedrooms and will include nearly 80 car parking spaces and bays for hundreds of bikes. Twenty five of the new homes will be affordable.
The first houses are expected to be ready for people to move into next summer. The scheme also unlocks a £55m investment in the site and, according to Places for People, is expected to create a significant number of jobs during the construction and beyond.
Places for People planning and design director Nigel Brewer said: “We’ve worked closely and very constructively with the council to shape proposals that are deliverable on this challenging brownfield site.
“This close working and feedback from the community has resulted in a high-quality development, with a mix of homes, employment space and well-designed public areas.
“We’ll be working to finalise agreements so that our teams can get onto site at the earliest opportunity and local people can benefit from the investment and regeneration coming to St Pauls.”
The decision was welcomed by Bristol councillors, who are working to increase the number of new and affordable homes across the city.
Cabinet member for homes and communities Cllr Paul Smith said: “The regeneration of Dove Lane is important for us and is one of a number of key sites coming forward in Bristol. I welcome Places for People’s commitment to start working on site soon to help meet the needs of St Pauls and the wider city.”
The scheme was first drawn up more than eight years ago but has faced a series of delays.
