Another step forwards for South Bristol regeneration

Release Date:  03-Feb-2009

New jobs, homes, and better community facilities for South Bristol moved a step closer when cabinet approved the principal of setting up of a unique venture company to redevelop the area.

The new ‘Regeneration and Development Company’ (generically known in the UK as a Local Housing Company) would be a joint council and independent enterprise. Following cabinet approval of the outline business case at its meeting on 2nd February, a detailed business plan will now be prepared to include the legal structure of the company and the selection process will begin on securing a private sector partner.

Local housing companies were introduced by the 2007 Housing Green Paper as a key way of delivering more new homes from Council owned land. In Bristol, the purpose of the company will be to contribute to the regeneration of Knowle West and surrounding area of South Bristol by not only developing new homes, but also creating new jobs, new community and leisure facilities and enhanced areas of open space.

Bristol is only one of 14 pilot authorities to have been granted this opportunity, and only one of four authorities to have got this far in this new process.

Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development said: “Knowle West and South Bristol have been rightly identified as areas that would greatly benefit from regeneration and from the redevelopment of the land owned by the city council and other public sector bodies.

“At present there are no approved plans for the regeneration of Knowle West and we are still in the very early stages of establishing this joint venture company. The council will continue to work with local residents, businesses and community organisations to develop a regeneration plan for the area over the next 12 months. Knowle West’s Community in Partnership is already involved in the process and we will continue to work closely with them.

”This decision offers the very real prospect of change and joined up regeneration in Knowle West and wider South Bristol – something residents and businesses are keen to see happen.”
 

Author:  Lynda Wookey / Catherine Frankpitt

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