Jessop Park, in Hartcliffe, is a key strategic site as part of a joint partnership between LiveWest, Keepmoat Homes and Bristol City Council which will provide 350 new homes.
The first eight new affordable homes were completed last year, with a block of 32 apartments for affordable rent and seven affordable rented homes progressing at speed to completion.
Located on the former Hartcliffe College Campus, when fully completed the scheme will include several unique features including a new community orchard, wildlife corridor and natural play areas.
Parry Morgan, Head of Development for LiveWest, said: “Works are gathering a pace and the sites eco-elements are coming together.
“The development provides a wide range of homes, including much needed affordable housing in an attractive, exciting, and vibrant new setting.
“Working with Keepmoat Homes and Bristol City Council, we have had a common goal of creating a high-quality new housing development which will provide new residents moving into this project with a great place to live.
“Sustainability sits very much at the heart of our organisation and being involved in a project which places importance on the environmental credentials of the project in terms of public space as well as renewable sources for heating homes is vitally important for both LiveWest and our customers.”
Sitting centrally within the development ‘Pollinator Park’ will encourage bats, birds, bees and other insects by providing a wide variety of rich pollinating plants.
The orchard, which forms a key part of this new development, will produce fruit for residents to enjoy and public art spaces will enhance its green, open spaces.
In addition to this, a swarm of blue butterflies and its sole food source, the kidney vetch plant, were relocated to another area on the site, ensuring they are preserved and able to thrive as the development progresses.
As part of a partnership with Bristol City Council – which will see the local authority benefit from a Renewable Heat Incentive – ground source heat pumps will be used on the site which include one and two-bedroom apartments as well as two, three and four-bedroom houses.
Furthermore, almost a third of the properties will be available as affordable housing through either social rent or shared ownership schemes accessible to families on lower incomes.
Charlotte Goode, Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “Work continues apace, and we’re delighted that we are welcoming residents into the first properties.
“Jessop Park isn’t your typical new home development; it has been designed to be something special with habitat for wildlife and community use.
“We have a strong track record of delivering new homes across the country, particularly on brownfield land such as this.
“We’ve brought our experience to this development and, working with all the partners, we’re breathing new life into the area, supporting the regeneration of South Bristol and building much-needed new homes.”
Alex Hutchinson was one of the first residents to have moved into her new two bed home with her partner, six-year-old son and three- month-old daughter.
Miss Hutchinson said: “We have been living in Hartcliffe for around four years now, so we know the area pretty well. We were so excited when the property came up on the home choice and felt so lucky when we got a successful bid.
“Our son loves being here, we didn’t have a garden in our last home, so he enjoys being outside playing football.”
She added: “Both our families are local, and we have been able to keep our son’s school the same which is lovely for him. We both also work near the area so being on a main bus route is helpful.
“The house has given us a fresh start and we are grateful to have such a lovely home to watch our children grow. The smile on our son’s face when he’s playing in the garden is priceless.
“The community is great; we have everything we need right on our doorstep and all within walking distance. It’s on a main bus route too.”