Decision due on major Bristol scheme next week
Proposals for a major integrated retirement community development in Bristol will be consider by councillors next week.
The multi-million pound proposals at the former St Christopher’s School were set to go to committee early this summer but were delayed to allow planning officers more time to review their initial recommendation report.
While the updated report still recommends the scheme for refusal; it acknowledges the benefits it will bring, including providing much-needed specialist housing, subsequently freeing up family homes, opening the site to the public as well as the proposed community use of the urban village hall (North House).
The report highlights the benefit of the proposed scheme being Net Zero carbon, considering the council’s declared Climate Emergency.
On behalf of the St Christopher’s Square team – investor FORE Partnership, specialist operator Amicala, and development manager Socius – Basil Demeroutis, Managing Partner of FORE, said: “We have worked incredibly hard on this scheme for two years now and continue to stand by and strongly believe in the merits of our proposals.
“This scheme goes beyond policy level, adopting innovations that will set a new standard of the city, and care sector, when it comes to low carbon and socially impactful development. This is a step we must take to turn the dial, made even more evident this summer as we continue to witness the devastating impact of climate change.
“Additionally, our proposals address issues that are only becoming more prominent, such as the growing need for age-appropriate housing, freeing up under-occupied family homes and easing the burden on the NHS.
“We are grateful to Bristol City Council for their ongoing work during this period, and for allowing this thorough assessment of the scheme.”
The St Christopher’s Square proposals will create over 100 homes in Bristol for older people looking to live independently for longer. The scheme has been designed to achieve the highest standards in sustainability and will be one of the only integrated retirement communities in the UK to be net zero in operation.
The plans will sensitively restore existing heritage buildings on a derelict site, including the Grade II listed Grace House and open up the site to the local community, with the creation of new extensive landscaped gardens.
The scheme will help to alleviate the strain and demand for age-appropriate housing due to Bristol’s rapidly ageing population, an issue recognised across the UK and recently brought to the fore with the Government’s creation of the Older People’s Taskforce in May. The site, which will be managed 24/7, will offer residents the opportunity to receive increasing levels of extra care and support as and when they need it, reducing the pressure on the NHS and wider care system.
The team’s commitment to bring the site into active community use has already begun to be realised. Earlier this year, in partnership with social enterprise ACH, the team transformed an empty building on the site into temporary housing for refugees in the city.
In addition to the relationship with ACH, the development team is also providing housing to 90 live-in guardians, a hall on the site has been used by Whiteladies Medical Centre as a Covid-19 vaccination centre, Redland Scouts and other community groups are using rent-free space, and open outdoor areas are being provided to the neighbouring Westbury Park School.
