Speedwell Pool development takes a step forward

stgeorge&redfieldvoice

January, 2019

Speedwell Pool development takes a step forward

SPEEDWELL Swimming Pool in Whitefield Road closed in 2005. The Council sold the site in 2006, but there has been a series of delays in the site being used for housing. Development of the site has now taken a further step forward after Crossman Homes (the owners of the site) signed a deal with Yarlington Housing Group. The currently derelict site has deteriorated considerably since it was vacated in 2005.

Planning permission was granted in May 2018 for a five-storey block containing 29 residential units with just 16 car parking spaces. The development to comprise of 10 one-bedroom flats, 18 two-bedroom flats plus one three-bedroom flat, of which four were to be 'affordable'. It is anticipated that the new deal with Yarlington will lead to 31 flats, all of which will be 'affordable' and will be managed by Yarlington Housing Group.

Yarlington has received a funding from Bristol City Council's Affordable Housing budget for this development. As a consequence, the site will now be entirely affordable housing.

Work on the development is expected to start in February. The electricity sub-station needs to be moved from inside the building before the demolition and build can begin. The building works are being carried out by Crossman Build Ltd, and it is anticipated that the scheme will be completed by December 2020.

Cllr Paul Smith, Bristol's Cabinet Member for Housing, explained: "It is important that we make the best use of land across the city and not allow sites to be left empty for too long. There was initially only going to be four affordable properties on this site, so this is another great example of how out grant

funding can help support the construction of more affordable housing, which will be available for those who need it most".

Wyn Bevan, of Yeovil based Yarlington Group, told the Voice: "As disused, existing developed land we are able to deliver muchneeded homes and help solve the city's housing need without putting pressure on an expanding

city".

Brad Hughes of Crossman Homes explained: "We are delighted to be leading this exciting development which will provide much-needed social housing for the area. The site has been vacant since 2005 and has become a dangerous eyesore, attracting anti-social behaviour".

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