Goram Homes have plans to build 1,435 new homes, along with new sports and community facilities on the site of the former Whitchurch Airfield – now Hengrove Park – which is nearby, and say they will use the site in the short term to \u2018help facilitate\u2019 the Hengrove Park development.<\/p>\n
The sports centre was most recently run by Action Indoor Sports, but was left empty and disused when it closed for the Covid pandemic in 2020 and never reopened. In the spring and summer of 2023, local residents and police regularly complained<\/a> to Bristol City Council<\/a> that young people were getting into the building and running amok – and filming videos for their own social media accounts<\/a> while they were in there.<\/p>\n But Bristol City Council failed to secure the building despite those warnings, and then on August 9, a fire was lit inside which severely damaged the building<\/a>. The blaze also saw people living near the site evacuated from their homes, a major police and fire service operation and fears that the thick, acrid smoke released by the fire contained harmful asbestos.<\/p>\n Now, the task of demolishing the building lies with the council-owned Goram Homes and its demolition contractor Lawson Group.<\/p>\n Goram said the building will be taken down \u2018carefully and methodically over a 12-week period\u2019, from now, with council chief Barry Parsons, admitting that it has become a \u2018serious health and safety risk\u2019.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Police warned council about fires at empty sports centre two weeks before huge blaze<\/a>READ MORE: Police ‘chasing kids out’ of fire-hit sports centre for weeks before blaze<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDemolishing this building will remove what has become a serious health and safety risk in the area,\u201d said Cllr Parsons (Green, Easton<\/a> ), who is chair of the council\u2019s housing committee. \u201cIt will also support Goram Homes\u2019 work on the first phase of the Hengrove Park development, which will start later this year.<\/p>\n \u201cHengrove Park is a long-term project that will create a thriving new neighbourhood of homes to buy, homes for social rent and homes for shared ownership. New sports pitches, play facilities, running loop, and social spaces will also be created here, and benefit the whole community,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Elaine Olphert, Goram Homes\u2019 technical director, said the site is now \u2018fully secured, with perimeter fencing and locked gates to prevent access\u2019, and security will be present outside of working hours.<\/p>\n \u201cAn expert demolition team will take down the building carefully over a 12-week period to ensure least disruption possible to surrounding residents and businesses,\u201d she said. \u201cWe thank local people for their patience during this work.\u201d<\/p>\n A single lane road closure will be in place on Bamfield Road, closest to Whitchurch Sports Centre, for approximately seven weeks during April and May, starting on April 21. This will enable Lawsons to safely demolish the structure nearest the roadway. Traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will be put in place during this period, Goram Homes said.<\/p>\n The demolition marks another step forward towards the transformation of the area around the edge of Hengrove Park. Goram\u2019s plans include building 125 new homes on the Bristol Cycling Centre and the Whitchurch Running Track, next door to the former sports centre.<\/p>\n A petition calling for the athletic track<\/a> to be regenerated and refurbished instead of building new homes on it, set up by a local resident John Pearce, has now gained more than 6,100 signatures. His campaign has got the backing <\/a>of leading sports figures in the city.<\/p>\n READ MORE: South Bristol \u2018losing another facility\u2019 as running track and cycle centre will be relocated<\/a>READ MORE: Calls to save South Bristol running track earmarked for 125 new homes<\/a><\/p>\n Goram Homes said the Family Cycling Centre remains open and it will be the last part of the Hengrove Park development to happen.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Cycling Centre will remain open until later phases of the 1,345-home Hengrove Park development, which will be built over an eight-year period,\u201d a spokesperson said. \u201cGoram Homes is working closely with Bristol City Council, which runs the facility, to help them keep the centre open for as long as possible.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Hengrove Park site has outline planning consent for 1,435 homes, half of which will be affordable housing for social rent and shared ownership. At the heart of the development is a park the size of around 30 football pitches. This will provide space for the sports and community facilities, including sports pitches and sports pavilion, a multi-use games area, and a walking \/ running loop around the perimeter.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be consulting with the local community on the next phase on Hengrove Park later this year,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. 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