Our Proposal - Pennywell Road

Summary of our proposal

430 new homes to rent – 20 percent at affordable discounted rents
A mix of one, two and three-bedroom homes, including a small number of two-storey duplex homes
New workspaces that would suit local businesses, some potentially at discounted rents
Green public open space for everyone, including a new linear ‘pocket park’ along Pennywell Road
All trees on Pennywell Road remain, with fences removed and buildings pulled back to create the 10 metre-wide pocket park
Pedestrian routes through the site, including a lively, new ‘makers’ avenue leading – through the neighbouring site – directly to the River Frome
Extending Vestry Lane into the site as a safe, pedestrian mews street
Our proposal aligns with Bristol City Council’s Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework

Approximately 430 homes – all for rent
All homes will be owned and managed by one professional company that specialises in so-called ‘build-to-rent’ developments
37 three bed homes, including three two-storey duplex homes
20 per cent at discounted rents set at Local Housing Allowance rates
Policy compliant numbers of accessible homes for wheelchair users
All homes will meet or exceed national space standards and be highly energy efficient

The design has been carefully considered in relation to Pennywell Heights, Vestry Hall and Globe House
Building heights closest to those buildings have been limited to six storeys
Taller buildings are located towards the corner of White Street and James Street, away from existing homes
A new pedestrian route is proposed along Vestry Lane, hugely improving the attractiveness and safety behind the existing homes
Creating a green linear pocket park along Pennywell Road will also substantially improve the immediate environment for these existing residents
The new apartments overlooking Pennywell Road; the new linear green park; and the new routes through the site will also create a much more attractive, accessible and safer environment for the wider community

We considered a range of options, settling on a scheme comprising four buildings, as shown on the diagram
Each building is separated by new pedestrian routes, public open space and/or private outside space for the new residents
New homes will face outwards from all sides, helping create a safe place to be through natural surveillance

Some homes will open directly onto the street, though most will have shared entrances
At ground floor we are proposing workspaces down the new ‘maker avenue’, along White Street and James Street
All storage (bins, bikes) and plant rooms will be discreetly located at ground floor
To enhance our Globe House redevelopment, we have proposed a new ‘horseshoe’ building to mirror the existing consented scheme

These various spaces will encourage informal gathering and socialising
As stated above, there will be new green routes through the site as well as a ‘pocket park’ along Pennywell Road
As you can see from the illustration, existing trees along Pennywell Road will be protected
New trees and wildflower spaces throughout the scheme, including gently sloping channels with species to encourage biodiversity
The new ‘maker avenue’ will also have seating and spaces for outside tables and chairs for potential cafes

Currently the site has no public access
The new ‘maker avenue’ would be for pedestrians and cyclists
The newly extended Vistry Lane would be pedestrian only
Having people living and working in the site, 24/7, would help create a safe and welcoming environment
Lighting and CCTV would provide further security for residents, workers and neighbours
The Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework has identified an extension to Eugene Street to a new pedestrian and cycle bridge. This is not part of our scheme though will further improve access for cyclists and pedestrians

This is a car free scheme, other than blue badge parking and a probable car club space
Vehicle access for servicing and deliveries would be via James Street
This would be one way, leading onto White Street then back onto Pennywell Road
We have included plenty of secure cycle storage for residents and visitors
In this central location there is no need for new residents to have their own car

New workspaces set around the scheme (highlighted in purple on the adjacent plan)
Some of these spaces could be made available at discounted ‘affordable’ rents
These would be ideal for existing and new local businesses, including makers and other creative businesses
Other spaces are likely to be cafes and shops

500m² of shared internal spaces on the ground floor for the new residents
Two, large shared outside courtyard spaces for the new residents
These shared spaces can help foster a sense of community among the new residents, helping prevent loneliness and isolation
Most of the new homes will also have their own private balcony or terrace

The full architectural design is still in development
The choice of design and materials has been influenced by the existing buildings in this neighbourhood
Contemporary material palette proposed, mainly using red/brown and stone/buff-coloured bricks across the scheme
Each building will feature balconies starting from the first floor with recessed balconies on higher floors
The commercial ground spaces will have floor-to-ceiling glazing to create open, welcoming, active frontages

The location is well suited for sustainable transport, given its proximity to the city centre
We are proposing to connect into the Bristol Heat Network, as well as installing roof-top solar panels
In terms of the building, we are proposing high-performance façades that reduce heat loss and energy requirement, as well as materials that have a low environmental impact
We are proposing a range of other sustainability measures, including water saving

Although flooding has not been a problem on this stretch of the River Frome, much of our site sits in the Environment Agency’s Flood Zone 2 and part of the site in Flood Zone 3
This means we have to design the scheme so it could handle a potential flood in decades to come
On those parts of the site that are less vulnerable to potential future flooding, we have some homes on ground floor
Otherwise homes are all on first floor and above
We have also proposed other measures to manage this future risk, including how residents would be able to safely leave the site

The whole site will be managed by a single, professional company that will run the development
A construction management plan will be agreed with the council once planning permission has been granted
This will set important rules like working hours and delivery routes, to help minimise disruption and impact on our neighbours
Securing planning permission is likely to take about a year
It is likely to take two years before we will start clearing the site ready to build
Once we do start, it is likely to take a further two years before the development is complete and occupied