The existing buildings are in a ‘dangerous’ state and are destined for demolition
The disused industrial estate up for auction off Grove Road, Bristol(Image: Hollis Morgan)
Derelict buildings on a run-down scrap of land are up for sale with a surprising price tag. The disused industrial estate along Grove Road in Fishponds will go to auction next week, but the existing commercial properties there look destined for demolition.
The £725,000 guide price looks hard to justify at first glance given the state of the site – but this plot could apparently make a fortune close to £5m if the buyer goes ahead with an already-approved housing plan.
Hollis Morgan, the listing agent, advises potential buyers: “Planning has been granted to demolish the existing industrial buildings and erect a stylish scheme of 11 three-bedroom dwellings with parking and gardens and a proposed gross development value of £4.745m – £4.945m.
“[This is] a prime freehold site of approximately 0.5 acres with a range of existing one and two storey buildings and wide frontage on Grove Road within walking distance of the local parks and high street…The site will suit a range of potential uses including continued industrial use or conversion of the existing commercial buildings into residential units.”
The buildings look destined for demolition(Image: Hollis Morgan)
Bristol City Council approved the housing scheme in March, more than two years after the planning application was submitted. The application sought permission for “change of use from industrial use, including the demolition of the existing industrial buildings, to 11 residential PassivHaus dwellings with associated car parking and landscaping”.
Officers’ report noted there had been some objections from neighbours concerned about the scale of the development and the impact on traffic, but they recommended approval following revisions to the scheme.
Planning documents submitted to the council state: “The site was marketed for a four-month period in 2014 and there was no interest from commercial or industrial occupiers…officers accepted that the buildings on site are in a fairly derelict state and the poor means of access means that it is unattractive to modern employment requirements.
“These buildings have deteriorated further in this time to the point of being dangerous structures.” The document added that the site was being used for storage by a bike maintenance company in 2022, but they have since vacated.
Some of the structures are in a better state than others(Image: Hollis Morgan)
PassivHaus refers to building standards designed to create low-energy buildings requiring little energy for heating and cooling, but it is understood there is no condition from the council for the scheme to follow Passivhaus regulations – there is a planning condition relating to a reduction in co2, however.
The auction will take place online on Wednesday (July 23) via the Hollis Morgan website. Auctioneer Andrew Morgan MBE said: “The public’s demand for homes together with the government’s desire for economic revival should make this prime site in Fishponds a more than exciting lot for prospective developers.
“With planning permission granted for 11 units in a potentially picturesque setting there will be no shortage of buyers for the completed units. With a modest guide price I am sure that developers will recognise this lot must be a sure-fire winner.”