Bellway is building 160 new homes at Flowers Hill Grange in Brislington, on the south-eastern edge of the city.
Vacant office buildings on the 8.6-acre site, most recently occupied by the Department for Work and Pensions and Brislington Driving Test Centre, have been demolished to make way for the new development.
However, the Grade II listed Bristol War Room, located at the southern edge of the site, is to be retained. Built in 1953 to co-ordinate defence in the event of a nuclear attack, the Cold War bunker was sold at auction on Wednesday 23 April. The purchaser, Locat Holding Ltd, has plans to use the bunker as an events space.
As part of the outline planning consent for the development, permission has been granted to change the use of the building to commercial, light industrial or community use.
Sam Sowden, Land and Operations Director at Bellway South West, said: “This site presents a unique opportunity to create an attractive and modern residential development alongside a building of major historical significance. Although any renovations to the War Room will be subject to a separate detailed planning application from its new owner, Flowers Hill Grange has been carefully designed to protect the historic setting of this Grade II listed landmark.
“The layout of the development will ensure greater spacing between the bunker and neighbouring buildings than existed previously, with six parking spaces for the War Room also provided.
“In addition to this, a large area of public open space will be created in the southern part of the site around the War Room, incorporating a play area and pond. This will be complemented by play spaces in the centre and in the northern part of the site, while a green corridor will run the full length of the development from Flowers Hill in the north to the bunker in the south.
“While the development will respect the historic character of the site, the new homes will be modern and energy-efficient properties fitted with low-carbon technologies such as air source heat pumps.
The mix of 61 apartments and 99 houses will also ensure that Flowers Hill Grange meets the needs of first-time buyers as well as growing families.
“The first selection of homes will be released onto the market next month (May) and we’re looking forward to working alongside the new owners of the War Room to create a unique development which celebrates the area’s past while delivering the low-carbon homes of the future.”
Located on land off Flowers Hill, the development will comprise 146 properties for private sale and 14 affordable homes for low-cost rent or shared ownership. There will be a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments in three and four-storey blocks with a variety of two, three and four-bedroom houses ranging between two and three storeys in height. The first properties for sale will be available to reserve from Saturday 31 May when the development launches.
For more information about the homes at Flowers Hill Grange, visit the website or call the sales team on 0117 205 2314.