Plans go in for Bristol housing scheme

A housebuilder hopes to deliver homes on an 8.6-acre brownfield site which is also home to a Grade II-listed  Cold War bunker.

Bellway has submitted detailed plans for a new housing development of 160 homes in Bristol.

The housebuilder hopes to deliver the new homes on an 8.6-acre brownfield site, off Flowers Hill in Brislington, which is also home to the Grade II-listed Bristol War Room, a Cold War bunker built in 1953 for regional government in the event of nuclear attack.

Bellway’s proposed development will comprise 146 private homes and 14 affordable properties.

As part of the detailed application, which is currently pending consideration with Bristol City Council, Bellway is to provide eight parking spaces for the War Room, although works to the building to suit a new use do not form part of these plans.

Outline planning permission for the new residential development was granted in August 2022, and allows for the former bunker to be used as industrial, employment or community and learning space.

Sam Sowden, land director for Bellway South West, said: “Our plans will see us take a disused brownfield site and transform it into a vibrant new community which will deliver 160 much-needed new sustainable homes for the area. The range of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to four-bedroom houses has been designed to meet the specific needs of the local market.

“The Bristol War Room is an important part of the history of the site and the area. The building, which is to be retained within the development, was built to co-ordinate and protect regional civil defence in the event of a nuclear attack and covered Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall.

“The change of use for this building does not form part of our plans, but the parking we intend to provide will facilitate the use of the building as and when detailed plans for its future are brought forward.

“We have not only liaised closely with Bristol City Council on the design for this development but also met local councillors and local organisations, as well as asking for the views of local residents via a public engagement process including a letter drop, social media posts and a project website. The feedback from these processes helped inform our detailed plans.”