Bristol cancels PRC housing redevelopment
Bristol cancels PRC housing redevelopment
It’ll probably come as welcome news to many, but it’s reported on the LGC plus website that Bristol City Council have shelved the tendering process to redevelop 549 pre-cast reinforced concrete homes, using of course the recession as a reason.
The authority has called a halt to the tendering process it had instigated in a search for a developer to redevelop homes across Sea Mills, Lawrence Weston, Lockleaze and Henbury.
Solutions from developers failed to deliver the right number and type of council homes needed and were judged not to provide the necessary ‘value for money’.
The current homes (these are the PRC “Parkinson” homes) were built quickly and cheaply in the 1920’s but now have structural defects. Despite the argument that these can be repaired, the council believes the best course of action is to replace them entirely – increasing the housing density at the same time.
Graham Sims, strategic director for neighbourhoods, is reposted as saying: “This is not the news many residents will want to hear after months of waiting. Unfortunately, the global recession, which has hit the UK housing and financial markets, has had an impact on the PRC project which could not have been predicted.
“We anticipate that the process of finding a solution to the PRC homes will take up to 12 months. In the meantime, we will be writing to all tenants and residents on a regular basis over the coming months to keep them informed.”
Bristol City Website – Current Situation
The Bristol City Council website reports ths same position on its “PRC Redevelopment Project pages”, that due to the housing market and the global recession the tender process to find a development partner has failed to find a developer that can “meet the city council’s requirements.”
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The detailed developer submission could not deliver the right number and type of council homes needed and the council felt that the developer proposal did not deliver the necessary value for money required. Unfortunately the council could not predict the negative impact to the proposals caused by problems with the housing market. The council has acted in good faith throughout the process and has tried its utmost to make the tender process succeed.
The Project Continues
The Council website state that the “The PRC Redevelopment Project has not stopped” and that the council is still committed to finding a solution and will be “reviewing alternative options” which could take up to 12 months – another year of uncertainty for all those affected.
The council has considered using some garage sites and additional land (such as gardens and green space?) as part of the project. Now that the project has stalled it’s not long known whether these sites will be required. The council say that “As soon as this information is available, affected tenants will be advised.” – more uncertainty!
THe council’s PRC Q&A Sheet is available here which answers a few questions although the handling of empty properties is a little ambiguous – it’s unclear whether they are going to make them available for habitation again or just ensure they are secure.
There is also this report on the Evening Post website.
Have you been affected? What are your thoughts on this latest turn of events?
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