A proposed 165-home development on the Baltic Wharf Caravan Club site is set to be one of the first by Bristol City Council’s own housing company.

The £55m project, to be delivered in partnership with Essex-based building firm Hill, will incorporate one-, two- and three-bedroom flats, including exclusive waterfront penthouses and 66 affordable homes.

It will also mean the Caravan & Motorhome Club, which currently runs the Cumberland Road site next to the Cottage pub, will need to relocate from the council-owned land.

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When the formation of the council’s own housing company, Goram Homes, was given the green light in 2018, it was hailed a key tool in fulfilling Bristol mayor Marvin Rees’ pledge to deliver 2,000 new homes per year by 2020.

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Read more: ‘Council-owned company will help relieve housing pressures in Bristol’

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The first two projects in the pipeline are the Floating Harbour scheme on the caravan site and a 268-home development on the Romney House land in Lockleaze. The latter will be delivered in collaboration with Galliford Try Partnerships and is expected to include 55 per cent affordable provision.

Announcing the plans, Paul Smith, Labour’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We are doing everything we can to accelerate the building of housing across the city, especially affordable homes.

“Goram Homes is helping to achieve this ambition and is ensuring that good quality homes are built to best suit the needs of the local community.”

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The development on the land currently occupied by Baltic Wharf Caravan Club will also incorporate commercial space.

Some of the buildings will feature green roofs and landscaped podium gardens, while bat, bird and insect boxes will be installed on communal green space in a bid to increase biodiversity and encourage wildlife.

Architects JTP Studios say their design has been inspired by the city’s former industrial dockland and buildings will pay homage to the heritage of nearby Underfall Yard by replicating the historic grain and roofscape. They also bear a resemblance to the Wapping Wharf development.

Andy Hill, chief executive of Hill, said: “Together, we’re creating an exciting new community that is inspired by the surrounding streetscape and harbourside history.

“The scheme will see the area transformed into a fantastic new waterside location, with a new public square, wildlife-friendly green spaces and commercial units that will add significant value to Baltic Wharf.”

A public consultation on the proposals will take place in February 2020.

Construction is expected to start on the Cumberland Road site in late 2020. Developers say the hoardings will feature work by Bristol street artist Mr Penfold. The first homes are due to be completed in autumn 2022.

Read more: New council homes built in Broomhill