Work on the construction of 12 new council homes in Lawrence Weston, Bristol, is complete with tenants due to move in over the next few weeks.

The new homes, which range from four-bedroom houses to two-bedroom bungalows, have been supported with a £775,000 investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), as well as funding from Bristol City Council.

Work on the project – which centres on three former council-owned garage sites in Crokeswood Walk, Barrowmead Drive and Saltmarsh Drive – was delayed after contractors Rok went into liquidation, forcing the council to seek another partner. Mansell Partnership Housing took over the project in December 2010.

Councillor Anthony Negus, cabinet member for housing, property services and regeneration, said: "I am very pleased that this project has now been completed, despite the collapse of the original contractor. Twelve new homes are of course very welcome, but they are only a step in the right direction.


"We are continuing to work with our partners to explore other ways in which we can provide more accommodation, such as bringing empty properties back into use. It is an area where we have been enjoying success and I want us to do even better. Last year the council brought 530 empty homes back into use.

"Other areas of work have included encouraging tenants living in council houses which are larger than they now need to downsize, freeing up more properties for families, as well as encouraging more private landlords to rent out properties. It's a huge challenge – housing is in very short supply and demand is high so it is a key priority for us to find ways of tackling this issue."

HCA investment and regeneration manager John Boutwood said: "Working with Bristol City Council and its partners, we are able to play an important role in building better, stronger communities and these homes are just one example of the impact this can have.

"I'm very pleased to see these homes completed and I am sure that local residents will welcome them too."

(CD/GK)