FAQs
How affordable are the homes?
1
Currently, 4 of 6 homes of the homes are shared ownership (2 bed flats at £788/month), less than half the Bristol average. With additional grant funding all 6 will be affordable.
Who are the developers?
2
The project is driven by members of the Nettle housing co-op; local families and single parents in urgent housing need, not developers.
Our co-housing principles will offer support and shared resources to combat the sense of isolation and loneliness increasingly found in inner cities, particularly by renters and single parents.
Will there be a lot of noise and disturbance during the construction?
3
We are using a faster and quieter ‘flat pack’ build to keep noise and disruption to a minimum.
The scout hut that was initially on the site has been removed, which was one of the loudest part of the construction. We are using Panelised MMC (Modern Methods of Construction), where walls are factory-made and "zipped" together on-site.
This cuts the noisy construction phase from months to just a few weeks and reduces heavy delivery lorries by over 50%.
What impact will there be on parking?
4
Inner city Bristol is tight for parking. That's why we commissioned a professional survey which found 30 empty spaces within a 2-minute walk at peak residential times.
We expect a maximum of 7–8 cars for the whole scheme. This uses only a small fraction of the 30 available local spots. We will also install 12 bike racks as residents mostly cycle.
If and when a residential parking scheme comes to the area these will not be allocated to our residents.
Why weren’t dedicated parking spaces included in the designs?
5
On this small 0.03-hectare site, on-site parking would "eat" the homes. We’ve prioritized living space over car storage. Less housing and onsite parking would also be financially unviable for the scheme.
How has privacy been considered?
6
We’ve used angled privacy louvres (screens with slats) to prevent overlooking into neighbouring gardens - a high-standard solution which has been successfully used by Bristol City Council.
How has the current architecture of the street been considered?
7
The design is a modern interpretation of Easton’s Victorian/Edwardian character, mirroring the "vertical rhythm" and rooflines of Woodborough Street.
We’ve also considered climate change. The building is raised for flood safety, featuring a gentle turn on front steps that accommodates the greater distance between ground level and first floor.
Are the properties Eco-friendly?
8
We are using a "fabric-first" approach, meaning the homes are built with high-performance insulation and airtightness to keep them naturally warm and cut energy bills.
The scheme includes solar PV panels, Air Source Heat Pumps and MVHR. This isn't just about saving carbon; it's about creating healthy, low-energy homes for local families.
Every stage of the design has prioritized high-quality, sustainable materials that minimize the project's environmental footprint.