Bonnington, Bristol
Legal & General Modular Homes
BwN Full Award (subject to post-construction sign off)
Award date: 12 October 2021
Location: Bristol
Project Type: Housing
Applicant: Legal and General Modular Homes
Assessor: CSA Environmental
Legal and General’s vision for Bonnington is to create a sustainable, thriving and inclusive new neighbourhood surrounded by greenery and the home comforts of an established community.
The site was a mix of former railway land and abandoned allotment gardens. Part of the site includes a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) designated for its grassland species. Unfortunately, the site has been neglected for many years and dense impenetrable bramble has become dominant. This bramble has significantly impacted upon the open areas of grassland reducing the sites ecological value. A number of invasive species have also colonised the site, including large stands of Japanese Knotweed. The new neighbourhood at Bonnington invests heavily in improving the quality of remaining habitat on the site, including improving the condition of the SNCI through removal of the bramble. A 30-year Management Plan is also being put in place to manage the SNCI area and to improve its condition.
The remainder of the site will see investment in both biodiversity and green infrastructure. The existing cycleway and footpath that runs through the site will be upgraded allowing clear segregation of pedestrians and cyclists. New open spaces and planting are being provided, including Dell Gardens, a Copse Garden, a community square, a play dell and a new edible garden. New planting promotes Biodiversity, and a range of ecological measures will be undertaken including bee banks, reptile hibernacula, bird and bat boxes and hedgehogs highways are being provided. The scheme also invests in Public Art with Biodiversity being the main theme of the Public Art strategy.
A variety of high-quality modular homes will provide a sustainable housing mix, with one and two bed apartments, plus two, three and four- bedroom houses and wheelchair houses. Tenure is distributed across the 185 homes, of which 51% will be affordable housing.
Residents will be able to take advantage of a plethora of cycle paths, by-ways and walking improvements, neighbourhood family play areas, and an increasing wealth of public transport options to connect them to Lockleaze and the wider Bristol City.
