A redundant school could soon be making a dent in South Gloucestershire’s housing waiting list after Sovereign Housing Association unveiled plans for 42 affordable homes in Kingswood.

With nearly 5,000 households desperate for affordable housing in the district, Horfield-based Sovereign has bought Woodstock Special School from South Gloucestershire District Council, and aims to turn it into a family friendly residential development with properties to rent, part-buy part-rent, or to buy outright.

The school in Courtney Road, Kingswood, was declared surplus in 2002, and Sovereign bought the site in May 2006. Plans have now been revealed to provide 65 homes – 20 for rent, 22 for part-buy part-rent, and 23 for outright sale.

Sovereign’s Senior Development Manager Lesley Holding said: “We don’t expect this development alone to solve the district’s housing crisis, but with the high proportion of family housing, it should, provide much need rented accommodation while also providing opportunities for people on low incomes to get on the property ladder through part-buy part-rent.”

The project also features a large play area, to be landscaped with natural bumps and jumps, a sandpit, and seating to act as an adventure playground for older children, with a smaller enclosed area of play equipment for toddlers.

Lesley Holding added: “With shops and bars nearby on Kingswood High Street, we believe it’s a good location for a flagship development. But with 60% affordable housing, and only a small number of apartments, we realise this is a departure from other developments going up in the area, and so would love to hear from neighbours during the current consultation period.”

Published 12 November 2007
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