A project seeking to regenerate parts of Barrington Close and Fairford Close in Kingswood received unanimous approval at planning committee today, after detailed proposals were submitted to South Gloucestershire Council.
Plans to regenerate the c.2.05HA area were prepared by Nash Partnership on behalf of housing association Bromford. The approved proposals include replacing 72 flats and 11 buildings with 85 modern, affordable and energy-efficient homes and a much-improved built environment. The regenerated site will have high quality design at its heart and will also improve the area’s housing offer by providing a more diverse mix of houses and types.
The unanimously approved new layout is the result of a detailed and evolving design process, where existing residents and leaseholders were invited to give feedback on options and share their views on what they want from the regeneration. This input was instrumental in developing the concept and final proposals for the site.
Currently, the homes on the site are all two-bed flats which are prone to damp and draughts and are increasingly expensive for Bromford’s customers to keep warm. The proposals introduce a mix of one- to four-bedroom houses and flats, with a range of energy efficiency and renewable energy measures included.
The new homes have been designed to respond to the slope of the site and a large number of the houses are split-level. New and existing routes through the site, parking and green spaces will be overlooked to improve the safety and security of residents. The proposed redevelopment also includes a more biodiverse landscape design with improved habitat for wildlife in the area.
Key members of the project team include Nash Partnership (placemaking and architecture), E G Carter (construction advice), and Infrastruct (civils). Other consultants have provided advice in specific areas such as landscape design, ecology, and transport.
Commenting on the project’s approval, Paul Miller, Sustainability Director and Architect at Nash Partnership, said: “While the site itself faces a number of challenges and constraints, we also feel it has a real opportunity to change for the better. The proposals will provide Bromford’s residents with renewable energy sources integrated into energy-efficient homes, helping to reduce fuel poverty, and the majority have private gardens – a key resident feedback request. We’re pleased the detailed plans have been given unanimous approval by the planning committee, and look forward to progressing the project to the next stage.”
Project manager Noreen Twomey from Bromford commented: “We’re delighted to have gained planning permission for the regeneration of these two streets. It follows more than two years of consulting with our customers, neighbouring property owners and South Gloucestershire to produce these plans. Our existing properties are no longer of the standard that we want to provide and that our customers expect of us, so we are delighted to have secured permission to replace them with modern, sustainable homes.
“We want our customers to thrive in their homes and that’s not possible in old, energy inefficient properties, which is why estate regenerations like this are crucial to solving the housing crisis. Through this regeneration we are not only increasing the number of affordable homes in Kingswood, we are providing a better mix of housing and improved living spaces for our current and future customers.”
