Helping to address the housing crisis and homelessness
At the moment in Bristol there are over 13,000 families on the affordable housing register and a further 500 on waiting lists, not to mention countless people unable to buy their home and stuck in 'generation rent'. According to Ocean Finance, 69% of would-be first-time buyers are priced out of the market, and Bristol has seen one of the steepest increases in property prices in the country.
The simple truth is that we don’t have enough homes in the city centre and we need to do more to address affordability (both in house and rental prices), rough sleeping, lack of social housing and young people living with their parents who can’t afford to move out.
Other local authorities that are neighbours to Bristol City also need to deliver new homes, which puts Bristol’s Green Belt under increased pressure. Delivering homes on the outskirts of Bristol increases dependency on cars and puts more pressure on sensitive green spaces by delivering homes at lower density over more land. Therefore, we want to champion the use of sustainable brownfield city centre sites as a better location for new homes than greenfield land.
Once someone is living in their home, we want them to be able to stay in it throughout their life – if they choose to do so. Our homes can adapt for their residents throughout their lives and include features suitable for a wide range of occupants, including older people, those with reduced mobility and some wheelchair users. This will give all our residents choice about where they live both now and in the future, which will allow them to remain living near family and friends in an area that they know.
Protecting our environment
We all have a responsibility to care for the environment and protect it for future generations. We are committed to protecting and looking after the local environment. Our plans will increase biodiversity habitats, and, through intelligent placemaking, create useable public spaces that contribute to the health and wellbeing of the local community.
Urban areas are major contributors to climate change. Goram Homes is a partner on the Climate Change Challenge, working with Nesta and UN Habitat to find a way to build greener more affordable homes.
A sustainable development
The new homes needed described above need to be delivered in the right places, in sustainable locations. Bristol has a vibrant city centre and the Baltic Wharf site is well-connected to surrounding employment and amenities, enabling residents to maximise active and sustainable travel options. Not only is this better for the environment, but also better for the health, fitness and wellbeing of residents
Energy efficiency onsite is carefully designed into our proposals, and you can read more above this on our Environment Page.
Promoting arts and culture
We want the future of Baltic Wharf to be part of the thriving community in the area, alongside creative hubs such as Spike Island and iconic landmarks like the SS Great Britain. Our vision is for Baltic Wharf to support the local heritage, the growth of arts and culture, and provide space for existing and new groups to collaborate and develop.
Contributing to the local economy
As well as providing investment for this key city centre site, the plans include a commercial and retail space (alongside the dedicated community arts space) that will provide new jobs.