Redford Crescent housing development, planning update
Our Housing Delivery Team has submitted a planning application for a new 100% affordable council housing development on a vacant site at the back of Redford Crescent and Sherrin Way. We've been working with Emmett Russell Architects to develop a proposal for the site.
Following 2 stages of public engagement in August 2024 and January 2025, feedback received from members of the public and other stakeholders has now been incorporated into the planning proposals.
We want to update you on how feedback received throughout the consultation process has helped shape the design of this scheme and share images of the final design with you. We'll also give you details of the planning application and how you can comment on it.
Housing Delivery team
The Housing Delivery team help to deliver new affordable housing projects across the city. This includes a focus on building and acquiring new council homes. It also involves working with a range of partners, including housing associations, community groups and developers to increase the supply of new affordable housing throughout Bristol.
What we want to do
We're aiming to regenerate this site. The new development will incorporate the needs of existing and future residents, as well as the needs of the wider city, by providing good quality new affordable housing and improved public space.
Proposals for the site indicate space for around 12 new houses. These homes will be sustainable and low carbon.
Ecology and biodiversity will be considered as part of the planning application, with the aim to improve biodiversity on the site. New trees will be planted and existing accesses on the site will also be retained.
Existing site
The site is undeveloped and is surrounded by existing houses along Redford Crescent and Sherrin Way.
It's currently a grassed area with overgrown hedges and tracks to the north and south of the site that provide access to rear garages and gardens.
The nearest shop is on Four Acres which is a short distance from the site. To the north of the site there is a cluster of shops and takeaway restaurants along Queen’s Road.
Existing site
Your feedback
There has been 2 phases of consultation about this development. A summary of what you said and our responses is in the further information section below.
Final design
Proposed site plan
The site plan shows the key design elements:
- Existing access: existing accesses to surrounding properties have been retained and a ‘grasscrete’ surface, a hard surface which allows grass to grow between the paving, is proposed for vehicles to pass on to the central shared space.
- Site access: it's proposed that the south access lane is widened and the surface re-laid to safely allow pedestrians and vehicles to enter and exit the site.
- Cycle provision: all homes will be provided with secure storage space for 2 cycles, to reduce reliance on car use.
- Parking: 8 parking spaces, including electric car charging, are provided for shared use by new residents.
- Rear lane: the rear lane behind the homes to the north-east, which allows access to the substation and neighbouring properties, will be surfaced with gravel and gated for security.
- Public green: a central area of shared green space provides enhanced landscaping for new and existing residents. This green space sits at the heart of the development, providing residents with the opportunity to sit or play, with natural play features such as balance logs and stepping stones. It will be planted with new trees and biodiverse plants. A formal footpath runs to the north-east pedestrian entrance to the site.
- Wildlife copse: this area at the far south-western point of the site will provide a space for nature and a habitat for wildlife. Protected by a fence, it will be planted with Hazel, Hawthorn and Blackthorn trees.
- Sustainable drainage: as part of the sustainable drainage strategy the scheme incorporates rain gardens across the site which capture surface water runoff and allows it to enter the ground gradually to help prevent flooding.
Materials
The local character of the area is defined by typical terraced and semi-detached housing. The materials used are predominantly brick or render, often in light, neutral colours, with pitched tiled roofs. The proposed material examples below have been chosen to compliment the surrounding housing.
- Coated steel to dormers
- Coloured polyester powder coating to windows and doors
- Galvanised steel finish to rainwater goods
- Fibre cement slates to roof
- Buff-coloured bricks to external walls
Examples of other housing schemes designed by Emmett Russell architects that use these materials:
Constable Road and New Kingsland schemes in Bristol
Aerial view of the site from the west:
View of new homes, improved footpath and central green space:
View of the street and the central green space:
View from the parking area:
Planning application
A planning application has now been submitted and full details can be viewed online via Bristol City Council’s Planning Online website by searching for the application number 25/12146/FB.
How to comment on the planning application
The Housing Delivery Team can no longer accept feedback.
If you wish to comment on the planning application, you must do so by contacting the Local Planning Authority.
How to comment on a planning application
However you are welcome to contact the Housing Delivery Team with general queries about the proposals, the planning process, or to request information in alternative formats.
You can contact the Housing Delivery Teams on the details below:
- Email address: housing.development.hra@bristol.gov.uk
- Postal address: C/o Housing Development Team, Housing Delivery Service, 100 Temple Street, PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE
Further information
Your feedback
Since August 2024, 2 phases of consultation have been carried out, informing people about the council’s aspiration to develop the site for affordable housing.
Initial proposals outlined plans to deliver 12 new homes along with an improved public space that supports ecology and biodiversity. Site plans and surveys were published inviting residents to tell us what they thought about the development proposals.
Combined summary of the responses from both consultations
- 96 properties were invited to participate in the survey
- 49 individuals responded
The following themes were seen in the responses:
- new homes: some people supported the principle of development but were concerned about parking and affordable housing provision
- public green space: people expressed concern that a loss of green space would have an impact on the community and their well-being
- play space: people expressed concern that a loss of green space would have an impact on children
- crime and anti-social behaviour: people expressed concern about increased crime and anti-social behaviour in the area
- nature: people said they were concerned about the impact of development on wildlife and ecology
- parking: people expressed concern that new housing could have an impact on the area’s existing demand for parking and that it could cause congestion on Redford Crescent and Sherrin Way
- site access: people were concerned they would no longer be able to access the site, and some neighbouring properties were concerned they would not be able to access the rear of their properties
- safety of site access: concerns were also raised about the safety of the site access for deliveries, emergency vehicles and refuse collection
You said, we did
Do you support the principle of redeveloping this site for affordable council housing?
You said: Some supported the principle of development but had concerns about increases in anti-social behaviour.
We did: Opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour will be reduced by the design of the homes and more active and shared use of the site. For example, living spaces will overlook the central green space and the parking area will be overlooked by windows on the end of buildings. Properties are back-to-back where possible and the access lane to the north-east of the site will be secured by locked gates. Avon and Somerset Police will also be consulted on the planning proposals.
A range of affordable housing tenures, such as Social Rent and Affordable Home Ownership, are being considered.
Do you support the proposed layout for the site?
You said: Some were concerned about rear access to their homes being maintained.
We did: Where existing rear access to homes is in use, this will be maintained. Engagement with neighbouring residents will continue throughout the design and construction process.
Do you support the proposal for public green space?
You said: People supported the proposal. There were concerns about an overall loss of green space for the community.
We did: Where possible, green space has been retained. A communal green is at the heart of the scheme, with a wildlife copse and a wildlife corridor along the southern boundary. In addition to these natural features, the proposal focuses on improving the accessibility and usability of public spaces.
Proposed homes
You said: Some supported the provision of affordable homes, but others felt the site could not support the number of homes proposed.
We did: We're proposing 12 affordable homes on this site, which is 40% less than the recommended density of 20 homes on a site of this size and in this area.
Nature and ecology
You said: Some people were concerned about the impact on nature. Some people were concerned about the risk of flooding.
We did: Ecological studies were carried out which show no significant habitats, but the design does incorporate biodiverse plants, bird and bat boxes, and hedgehog corridors to support wildlife. A wildlife copse and corridor will be planted to enhance habitats on the site. All surface water runoff will be contained within rain gardens and sustainable drainage features. These act to hold water and slowly release it into the ground to reduce impact and the potential for flooding.
Public space
You said: There were concerns there will be a loss of play space for children
We did: The existing site does not have any dedicated play space for children. The new central green will give families a large space to play. Natural play features are proposed including balancing logs and stepping stones.
Site access and parking
You said: There were concerns that the site does not have sufficient parking so could add to existing parking issues. Some felt the access from the road has poor visibility and was therefore unsafe, and access for emergency vehicles could be an issue
We did: The site will provide 8 shared car parking spaces, with adequate EV charging provision and secure cycle storage for new residents. The scheme has good links to local schools, services and public transport to promote use of sustainable transport. Both site accesses have been assessed for their suitability to accommodate vehicles. We're proposing that the south entrance is widened to ensure that it’s safer for pedestrians and large vehicles to enter and exit the site.
Key dates
- Start date: 23 May 2025
- End date: 23 June 2025
Late May 2025: Planning application
You can submit formal comments on the planning application, reference: 25/12146/FB.
How to comment on a planning application
May 2025: Final design update
We created a final design, showing more detail about the planning proposals and how feedback has been incorporated into the proposals.
January to February 2025: Second public engagement
We shared more information about the proposal and collected further feedback. This was a chance for the public to see the developed plans and give further feedback.
We reviewed the feedback and will consider it as the designs progress. We reviewed detailed proposals with stakeholders and colleagues at Bristol City Council.
August 2024: First public engagement
We published an initial sketch proposal and a questionnaire to collect comments about the ideas. This was the chance for the public to give early feedback on the proposal.
We reviewed the proposal with stakeholders, planners and colleagues at Bristol City Council to collect comments on things like design and highways.
April 2024: Initial scoping
We carried out surveys to understand the key features of the site and reviewed first ideas with colleagues at Bristol City Council.