The rehabilitation care centre on Creswicke Road has been empty for some time.
There is now a plan to refurbish it, redesigning the interior and extending the exterior. Once the refurbishment is complete it will be Homeless Family Accommodation.
Bristol City Council are selling the site at open market value to Places for People. A condition of the sale is the site is renovated and converted into Temporary Social Housing for Homeless Families and to be added to the Homeless Families Framework of Commissioned service.
Bristol City Council view this project as a flagship service and it be making a significant part of BCC Homeless Families offer.
As part of the planning and development application process the developers must engage with the community, share the designs, listen to people’s views.
The proposal is to turn the empty building into 21 spaces that will be temporary housing for families who are homeless and awaiting re-housing by Bristol City Council.
On Thursday 27th February 2025, there was a community engagement event at Inns Court Community Centre. Two members of the architect team came along with drawings and plans. Places for People also attended with 4 members of staff available to answer questions about similar projects and explain how families will be supported once the project is opened. KWA supported the event by liaising with stakeholders, organising a space and sharing information with the community about the event.
Filwood Local Councillors Cllr Lisa Durston and Cllr Rob Logan also attended, along with a representative from Bristol City Council Housing.
Local residents were welcome to come along and look at the designs and ask questions. During the two-hour session approximately 12 members of the local community dropped in. People had various questions, including how long the build might take, questions about access and how the families will be supported once the refurbishment of the building is complete.
There was an opportunity for local people to share their views and ideas on the design. Many also shared their memories of the building, which has been part of the community for a number of years and used to house older people needing care and support.
The development plans were well received by the local community, community groups and residence group representative with the aims of supporting families welcomed.
The scale was appreciated, noting that it makes the best use of space and design while maximising the number of people that could be supported. The softening of the external appearance was also well received making it more accessible and pleasing while maintaining security by design with CCTV and external lighting.
The architects will use the information collated in their design and access statement as part of their planning application.
Knowle West Alliance 