Flats scheme Developer seeks to cut number of affordable homes

DEVELOPERS who want to build more than 220 new flats on a key location on the River Avon in the middle of Bristol have said they can only do so if they are allowed to cut the number of 'affordable' homes there from 66 to 25.

- Tristan CORK

Bristol City Council planning officers are recommending that Donard Homes be allowed to do that, and get building, although councillors will make a final decision this week.

Donard Homes blamed the increasing costs in the building industry, and the changes they will have to make to their plans because of new fire regulations involved in building tower blocks.

Donard first obtained planning permission back in 2022, in controversial circumstances.

The firm bought the site of the Bart Spices factory on the south bank of the New Cut on York Road in Bedminster, after the spice firm moved to new premises in Avonmouth.

Planning officers initially recommended the entire project for 220 new homes be refused permission over concerns about what the flats would be like to live in, but councillors from all parties overrode that and unusually granted permission.