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The sites – Dolphin Square, Sunnyside Road and Locking Road – have been held by the government agency Homes England for several years but have now transferred to North Somerset Council. They are allocated for re-development, with capacity to deliver around 500 new homes as well as commercial and/or community buildings.
The Council will be starting the process to seek a development partner for the sites shortly and it is hoped that they will be selected by the end of the year, with work expected to start in 2024/25. Key principles for the work will include good quality of design, provision of affordable housing, high standards of sustainability and compliance with national space standards. The Council has committed nearly £700,000 for the three sites to assist the delivery of affordable housing and improved sustainability.
Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy, at North Somerset Council, said: “This is the culmination of over a year of negotiation and we are delighted to be taking on the sites. We are looking forward to getting on with delivery and ensuring a supply of good quality homes and facilities for local people, a key aim of the Super Weston Placemaking Strategy. We are doing everything we can to make best use of brownfield land and to improve standards of living and the environment.”
Options for “Meanwhile Uses” on some of the sites will be explored prior to the start of development. This could include temporary food and drink attractions similar to those at Wapping Wharf in Bristol, or other temporary workspace options for the area.