Leadbitter commences work on £7.7m Bristol development

The Leadbitter Group has started construction work on a £7.7million development in Bristol.

The Junction 3 development will comprise 59 affordable homes incorporating sustainable, energy-saving materials, as well as a Creative Learning Zone, library, crèche, community meeting rooms, and seven retail units. The homes will be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3, while the other elements of the project will achieve a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.

The scheme is being built by Leadbitter as part of a partnership between Knightstone Housing Association, Bristol City Council and the Big Lottery Community Libraries Programme.

Leadbitter has pledged to work with local suppliers and is inviting area businesses with an interest in supplying skills and materials for the construction phase of the scheme to attend its supplier sign-up event on 8th September.

Experienced and qualified Bristol-based companies will be able to find out more about the project at the event and register their interest in working with Leadbitter.

Leadbitter also operates a community engagement model which is committed to creating training opportunities for local people—particularly youngsters who may have found themselves categorised as NEETs (not in education, employment or training). On Site Bristol, which works with funders, employers and City of Bristol College to provide apprenticeships, will be supporting the sign up event to develop collaborative training opportunities amongst the supply chain for Junction 3.

Russell Houghton, regional director of Leadbitter’s Western Housing Division, said: “We are excited that work is now underway on this ambitious project.

“For Leadbitter part of the joy of being involved in a scheme like this is the ability to create not only a neighbourhood hub which will provide valuable resources for local people, but also the opportunity to work closely with the community to deliver it.”

Work is expected to be completed in Summer 2012.