Release Date: 02-May-2008
A planning agreement with Bovis, the developer of the Upper Horfield estate, is to earn local people a range of benefits including new play equipment, park improvements such as five-a-side football, and library books and CDs.
As part of the planning application for the 800 dwelling, mixed-tenure estate, Bristol City Council required the developer to provide over £300,000 in 'section 106' finance for community facilities.
Now a set of proposals have been agreed to deliver a significant package of community benefits. Ideas were submitted by the Bristol Community Housing Foundation – the organisation that manages social housing in the area. It was developed as a result of discussion with the local community, Horfield and Lockleaze ward members and service providers.
Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Executive Member for Access and Environment said: “The hugely successful development in Upper Horfield was identified as a scheme that would need extra community facilities, and this is an excellent example of how the local community can help inform choices about neighbourhood priorities. We have strengthened the guidance on developer contributions to encourage community partnerships to help make this happen”.
Councillor Rosalie Walker, Executive member for Health and Leisure, said: “A new school/children’s centre is already planned for the area and the S106 money is now contributing to community assets such as the local library and parks. The children and young people have had nowhere to play football except on the street. It's safer here than normal roads because of the successful Home Zone, but it's much better to have a proper football facility."
Oona Goldsworthy, Chief Executive of Bristol Community Housing Foundation, said: “The regeneration project is due to finish early next year and these new community facilities will come along just in time. When we asked local people what they wanted in the area things for young people to do such as the five a side were a priority. Its great that we can now get on and do this” “
"The success of this mixed tenure development has only been possible through co-operation and partnership working between Bristol City Council, Bristol Community Housing Foundation and Bovis Homes. I am really pleased that the local community will directly benefit from the Section 106 contribution."
The planned benefits are:
Poets Park Improvements
£30,000
Play Equipment for Emerson Park
£20,000 of additional teenage play equipment for the new open space to be managed by BCC.
Community Endowment Fund
£100,000 would be invested to provide a long term income to enable community workers etc to be employed to deliver services to benefit the community. BCHF consider that this is the most important of all the projects in that it will provide guaranteed long term support to local community based services.
Horfield Library Improvements
£15,000 for additional resources (books, CD's, materials for non English speaking residents etc).
Eden Grove Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)
This project is being led by the Children's Play Officer in the Parks Services Team and would be delivered by Parks. Project costs have been estimated at £60,000, however detailed costings are not yet available.
Improvements to Eden Grove's Youth Hut and Community Kitchen are also planned. More work is needed however, before these projects can be confirmed. £77,000 is set aside for these projects.
Author: Kate Hartas 0117 922 2649
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