Bristol offsite housing scheme set for green light

A development in Bristol being brought forward by offsite housing provider BoKlok UK, which is jointly owned by Skanska and IKEA, has been recommended for approval.In an application lodged on behalf of BoKlok by Turley, permission is sought for the erection of 173 dwellings in the form of two-storey properties and four blocks of four storey flats at a site which sits next to Airport Road in south Bristol.New open spaces are also proposed along with highway infrastructure, including a bridge over Brislington Brook which is located in the middle of the site.The development proposes that 30 per cent of the homes will be affordable, with 52 homes being managed by a registered provider for rent and low cost ownership.The application site is currently open space which is occupied by scrub and grassland with a significant number of trees. According to a planning report to be scrutinised by councillors at a meeting later this week, the scheme is considered to have an acceptable visual impact, and would not have a significant impact on neighbouring properties. While officers are said to be disappointed with the single aspect units facing onto Airport Road, this is only a small proportion of the properties and the majority will be dual aspect.Highway officers are objecting to the lack of a five metre shared footpath along Airport Road, but officers consider that the existing footpath provides a safe pedestrian environment and a smaller footpath improves the visual impact of the development by allowing more landscaping.The application is recommended for approval subject to the applicant addressing an outstanding objection from the Environment Agency, with a response expected prior to the committee meeting.BoKlok produces homes using modern methods of construction. Homes are built in factory conditions and constructed offsite for a fast building programme.The proposed development will be the first BoKlok community in Bristol.