The Shaldon Road Project
Shaldon Road is a new and exciting development of 50 affordable homes in Lockleaze, Bristol that is being delivered through a 'self-finish' model, where residents complete some of the building works on their homes collectively. Bristol Community Land Trust (BCLT) pioneered this self-finish approach, with the support of Ecomotive, in its first 12-home project at 325 Fishponds Road. It is now collaborating with United Communities housing association, which is overseeing the Shaldon Road development, to help create a far larger and more ambitious housing project, which will not only incorporate self finish but also aim for maximum use of solar energy, supporting an electricity 'micro-grid' and air source heat pumps. There are also plans to include a 'common house' as a shared community building for the residents, as well as a wildlife corridor to support local biodiversity.
United Communities is working alongside BCLT and the local community as part of the development, which will comprise of a mix of affordable rented accommodation and low cost home ownership. Ecomotive will be acting as self-finish managers for the Shaldon Road project, and as a first step we met with all the residents in early February 2020 to introduce them to how the project will work, enable them to ask questions and get to know each other. Using our self build training venue at the Wordsworth Centre, we will be running a training programme for residents over the next few months while the main contractors are on site, including site health and safety and practical introduction to tools sessions. The self-finish works are expected to commence from September 2020.
The site is currently being leveled out for its designated plots.
Full planning permission was granted by the Bristol City Council on 15th February 2018, which includes pre-commencement conditions listed that will be carried out before the building begins, which includes extra car parking on Morris Road.
United Communities is working alongside the Bristol Community Land Trust and the local community as part of the development. The aim is to build a highly sustainable community, which shall involve shared facilities and a wildlife corridor. The proposed development will comprise of a mix of affordable rented accommodation and low cost home ownership.
How we are getting involved
Funding has been provided for many of the residents to take part in a course of training that involves teaching self-finish skills and advice. These classes will include kitchen fitting, carpentry and decorating. These classes will be ran by us at the Wordsworth Centre in Lockleaze.
This project resembles our previous self-finish management work for the 325 Fishponds Road Self-Finish Project of 12 affordable homes! The Shaldon Road project shall entail training the residents of the project, which has been designed to showcase the best in community development, including maximum use of solar energy, supporting an electricity 'micro-grid' and air source heat pumps.