Consultation launches on proposals for new Sovereign homes in Brislington

Local people are invited to have their say on emerging plans for the redevelopment of the Castle Court site in Brislington which was acquired by Sovereign Housing Association in May 2020.

The site is located between Paintworks to the West, the River Avon to the north, existing terraced housing to the south, and St Philips Causeway to the East.

Sovereign’s proposal is to demolish the existing buildings and structures on the site and to bring forward a high-quality residential development within a strong landscape setting. This approach will help link the site into the surrounding green spaces and create a high-quality public realm with a range of landscaped squares, routes and gardens with native planting and new trees to increase biodiversity and enhance nature.

The development will provide much needed housing for Bristol including 350-370 homes ranging from 1,2 and 3 bed apartments to family homes. Around 50% will be affordable, to help meet the housing crisis.

The scheme layout responds to the surrounding neighbourhood, with the tallest buildings located at the northern edge of the site to minimise shading of other buildings and spaces. The buildings range from three storeys, closest to the existing terraced housing off Bath Road, to five storeys arranged around a central green space creating a focus for the community. A taller apartment building of eight storeys is positioned alongside St Phillips Causeway. Along the riverside, four buildings gradually rise up in height, from eight storeys beside Sparke Evans footbridge to a maximum of 20 storeys at the north-eastern corner, marking the main entrance to the site.

Sovereign’s plans also include around 500 sq.m of non-residential flexible spaces which could accommodate a café and community uses. Other features include a mobility hub with car club spaces and electric scooter parking, generous cycle parking and a Changing Places facility.

James Gibson, Sovereign said: “At Sovereign we believe that everyone should live in a home and a place where they feel safe, part of their community and where they can thrive.

“Our vision is to create a flagship residential led development which sets out our commitment to build and maintain well-designed, high-quality homes in great places to live now and the future.

“Unlike most housebuilders we at Sovereign are driven not by profit but by social purpose. We invest for the long-term, in places and people, and we care about the homes we build long after they are built.”

Sovereign is keen to hear from neighbours and the wider community as the design proposals move forward.

From Tuesday 19 July details of the emerging proposals will be available to view at: www.sovereign.org.uk/developing-homes/castle-court  and there will be an opportunity to give feedback via an online survey.

Public drop-in style consultation sessions will be held at Arnos Manor Hotel, Bath Road, Bristol BS4 3HQ on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 July from 4pm until 7pm. This will provide an opportunity for local residents and businesses, the public and the local community to view and discuss the emerging proposals with Sovereign and their design team.

The first round of public consultation will run until 26 August.  Feedback from this first round of consultation will help shape the more developed design proposals. A second round of consultation will take place in the Autumn prior to submission of a planning application by the end of the year.