The developer behind a controversial office block conversion in South Bristol has not responded to the council after recommendations were made in a review, the Bristol Mayor has said.
Last month, a council review into Imperial Apartments found that the site is "suitable for many families with children" - but the cabinet member for housing delivery and homes admitted the situation required further improvement. Back in mid-February, Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees announced the council was to pause housing families with children there while a review was carried out as he admitted there are "some challenges" at the site.
This came after BristolLive reported on many concerns from residents at the former Parkview office complex in Hengrove and a request from the Bristol South MP to stop housing families with children at the development, with the Lib Dems then joining the call and one councillor urging the council "to take responsibility".
Read more: Imperial Apartments IS suitable for children, council finds and will start rehousing families there
The review made a total of 18 recommendations and assessed suitability on multiple factors including the physical condition of accommodation, affordability, overcrowding and risk of violence from any person. Responding to a question from Hengrove and Whitchurch councillor Sarah Classick at Member Forum - which is due to be held tonight (July 5) - city mayor Marvin Rees said the council is still waiting on a response from developer Caridon.
He said: "The review has been very helpful in supporting our consideration of families we have nominated to Imperial Apartments and no longer nominating families with children older than 5.
"It is worth reiterating that Caridon are the landlords and responsible for delivering safe and secure accommodation. We are still waiting their response to the review, which is disappointing given their responsibilities.
"We want everyone to have a stable, affordable home, which is why we’ve made house building a priority across Bristol, as well as used our powers in the private rented sector with licensing schemes. Bristol still faces a housing crisis, and so we can only take decisions with the places we have."
Caridon was approached for comment in light of the mayor's comments, but no response was obtained. However, the developer has previously said that it is "going above and beyond the service presented by most landlords".
At the time the review was published, Caridon said: “Whilst Caridon recognises there are still some challenges, as there are in any form of multi-unit accommodation, we are providing a viable and accessible solution to the council to help steer people away from homelessness - an option which has supported over 300 households away from homelessness so far which is something we are very proud of. Rents are set at LHA rates, which makes Imperial Apartments more affordable than the majority of private rented accommodation in the city.
“We are also going above and beyond the service presented by most landlords, providing high levels of security and concierge, developing indoor soft play areas, multi-function on-site gyms, IT rooms, outdoor zen gardens and playgrounds, running community events and providing funding for them. We will continue to improve our on-site facilities, develop tenant community groups and support the people who reside at Imperial Apartments.”
There are 465 units of private rented accommodation at Imperial Apartment and Bristol City Council rent out 316 of them, more than two-thirds of the total. With 108 children there in total now, nearly a third (101 households) have children living in them.
After the review was published, a disabled man claimed he feels unsafe in his own home at Imperial Apartments due to the harassment and abuse he is experiencing. Robert said he is so worried about being attacked that he has a hidden camera in his studio flat, and also records on his phone every time he leaves his flat.
Read next:
- Imperial Apartments situation 'requires further improvement', says cabinet member
- Imperial Apartments 'unsuitable', says Karin Smyth MP in light of review
- Imperial Apartments IS suitable for children, council finds and will start rehousing families there
- Imperial Apartments developer say they go 'above and beyond' what most landlords do
Man living at Imperial Apartments says he 'doesn't feel safe'
