Work begins to demolish Bristol problem flats

Eyesore flats in Windmill Hill are to be demolished leaving the ground clear for a project aimed at kick-starting the South Bristol revival.

The properties, built in the 1980s, are a focal point for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
Contractors Bath Demolition are now on site, stripping the flats which are expected to be taken down by end of May.

Bristol City Council took the decision to demolish the blocks in March 2010 and to consider redevelopment along with other land on Kingswear, Torpoint and Marksbury Roads. It has been working with other land owners and local people on ideas for redevelopment of the site with a different design and layout. It is now in the process of recruiting a development partner to consult, design and build a suitable scheme.

The new site includes the council owned flats that are about to be demolished, Knightstone Housing Association owned flats on Torpoint Road, the Marksbury Road College site owned by the Homes & Communities Agency and some underused open space on Torpoint Road. The three landowners are committed to a high-quality scheme which will enhance the open space and set the standard for emerging plans for the entire Knowle West area.

Kingswear and Torpoint was originally built by a private developer in the early 1980s. The council acquired the flats when the developer went bust as a partial solution to social housing shortages in the area but they gave proved to be a continual problem for the Council. Basic structural and building design problems have proven costly to rectify and maintain and many units could not be let because of the recurring problems.

Councillor Anthony Negus, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “These flats, and the associated problems, have blighted the local community for too long. The setting deserves a sensitive scheme that does it justice and improvements to the open space, which is not well enough used at present. We are continuing to work very closely with the community to ensure that any new scheme is an asset to the area. It must also be a high-quality sustainable development built to last and well loved by local residents.”