Updated plans for St Christopher’s Square, Bristol sustainable retirement community

FORE Partnership, Amicala, and Socius, the team behind the proposed development of St Christopher’s Square in Westbury Park, Bristol, have submitted updates to their planning application.

The scheme is designed to achieve the highest standards in sustainability, one of the only Integrated Retirement Communities in the UK to be net zero carbon in operation. It will create more than 100 homes in Bristol for older people looking to live independently for longer.

The plans aim to address the shortage of specialist accommodation in Bristol for older people, and free up under-occupied family homes in the local housing market. The site will offer residents the opportunity to receive increasing levels of extra care and support when they need it, reducing the pressure on the NHS and wider care system.

Following extensive consultation and engagement with the community last year, including a digital survey of more than 5,000 local residents, a planning application for the net zero development was submitted in March. Now, having considered additional feedback received via the community, independent surveys, and further written and verbal feedback from stakeholders and Bristol City Council, the development team has made improvements to the plans.

The updates include a reduction of the built footprint of the site and reducing the number of new homes from 122 to 116. A floor has been removed from the tallest of the proposed buildings , which will now be five instead of six storeys, to protect the key view from The Downs. In addition, two of the proposed cottages to the east of the site have been replaced with a single-storey bungalow.

The proposals encourage intergenerational use of space with the development of a new café, an “Urban Village Hall”, wellness centre, and activity rooms. These facilities will be shared with the neighbouring school and community groups, and support local SEN provision, an approach developed in consultation with Bristol City Council.

While the development awaits the outcome of the planning decision, the team is already working to bring the vacant site into community use. Currently, a number of the existing buildings on site are home to 90 temporary residents, and the former school hall is being used by Whiteladies Medical Centre as a Covid-19 vaccination centre. Rent-free space is also being utilised by local community groups such as Redland Scouts, and open outdoor space is being provided to the neighbouring Westbury Park School.