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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Estel Farell Roig

Death at Imperial Apartments in South Bristol prompts police enquiries

Police are conducting enquiries following a death at a former office block in South Bristol.

Officers were called to Imperial Apartments on Whitchurch Lane, Hengrove, last week to reports of a deceased man.

Avon and Somerset Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious and that enquiries are being conducted on behalf of the coroner.

READ MORE: Ambulance driver wasn't able to enter Imperial Apartments as security guard had left early

The force said: "On Thursday, January 27, officers attended a report of a deceased male at an address in Imperial Apartments, Whitchurch Lane.

"His next of kin have been informed.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and enquiries are being conducted on behalf of the coroner."

Council documents showed there were at least two deaths linked to the former office block in south Bristol last year.

Minutes from weekly meetings of Bristol City Council, with the developer of the controversial Imperial Apartments in Hengrove, show one person died in January 2021 and another in July 2021.

The documents show a serious incident report was prepared following one of the fatalities and police were involved.

And, following the other death, minutes suggested staff were not prepared to deal with a heart-related condition.

Some members of staff had taken time off following the death, but the minutes stated they seemed "generally ok".

Avon and Somerset Police was also able to provide more details on the death in January 2021.

The force said: "On Sunday, January 24, 2021, officers attended Imperial Apartments, Whitchurch Lane, following a report of concern for the welfare of a female.

"On arrival a female was found deceased within an apartment. The circumstances of the death were not believed to be suspicious. A report was prepared for the coroner."

In recent months, BristolLive has reported how several residents raised concerns about the former Parkview office complex in Hengrove - now known as Imperial Apartments.

Do you live at Imperial Apartments? What do you think about living there? Our reporter Estel would love to hear from you. You can contact her directly on estel.farellroig@reachplc.com

A young mum claimed 'they are the worst' and a first-time dad said he feels so unsafe living there that he sleeps with a hammer and a screwdriver next to his bed, with other residents comparing the development to storage facilities and even a prison.

Another young mum claimed last week that her daughter ended up in hospital because of mould at her flat.

Last month, the Bristol South MP asked the council to stop housing families with children at Imperial Apartments, adding that all the families it has already housed at the complex should be moved out as soon as possible.

Bristol City Council, which rents nearly 70 per cent of the properties at the site, has previously admitted that the use of a former council office block in south Bristol for housing is "not an ideal option" and city mayor Marvin Rees described it as 'the least worst option'.

However, the council has defended its decision, saying the site has provided housing for more than 200 people.

Caridon - the developer behind the controversial conversion - has previously said Bristol City Council is happy with them.

Police revealed in November that they had been called more than 200 times in just over a year to the site, with crimes recorded linked to Imperial Apartments including one rape, two incidents of possessions of weapons and one offence of trafficking drugs.

This story has been updated to make clear police were not conducting an investigation into the death on January 27. The death was not treated as suspicious and police were carrying out enquiries on behalf of the coroner.

To keep up to date with latest Bristol politics news, and discuss thoughts with other residents, join our Bristol politics news and discussion here. You can also sign up to our brand new politics newsletter here.

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