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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Estel Farell Roig

Two deaths linked to Imperial Apartments as documents refer to 'serious incident report'

There were at least two deaths linked to a former office block in south Bristol last year, council documents show.

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.

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

And, following the other death, minutes suggest 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".

The minutes from the meeting in July 2021, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, state: "Tenant unfortunately passed. Doing serious incident report now, and will be had by end of day.

"Raised that friends of the individual who has passed have been asking about, who will tell them? to send number of the officer dealing with the case, will then discuss with them passing the news on to friends.

"Not able to pass on details due to coroner, but in future can something be passed on even if not in full detail.

"Won’t be able to inform support services if not passed on. Can’t go against what coroner/police say. To have some heads up of a major event would be good if not details.

"Apparently some crowdfunding may happen for a plaque. Some questions around who collects."

The death in January 2021 was also discussed in the weekly meetings, with the minutes expressing sadness about what had happened.

It said Caridon offered support to those people who were on duty.

The minutes state: "The flat has been handed over.

"Asked what to do the stuff and how long to keep belongings? to find out and contact .

"Has organised for a crash bag to be on site to administer CPR and has made sure that people are more prepared.

"NOK details taken at sign up. In the future will ask for a friend’s details too."

The minutes from a January 2021 meeting also state that, in the case of safeguarding issues, the council is looking at offering support about staff resource and skill.

It said some members of staff and security had taken time off following the death, but that they seem "generally ok".

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

Imperial Apartments - formerly known as Parkview offices - in south Bristol (BristolLive)

It said: "Asking questions understandably about if anyone could have done more. Unfortunately some things slip through and aren’t noted on forms.

"Happy to receive support/help from BCC on safeguarding where relevant and possible.

"Relatively calm, no big concerns raised. Setting up resident’s forum/meeting/association soon – first on Zoom – so that will provide a good space for any concerns to be raised."

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

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.

To keep up to date with latest Bristol politics news, and discuss thoughts with other residents, join our Bristol politics news and discussion here.

The kitchen area in one of the flats (BristolLive)

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.

In summer 2020, the council revealed it was planning on housing people in the complex which was being redeveloped by Caridon, a company which was the subject of a Newsnight investigation as residents in one of their developments in London complained about overcrowding, the mix of people, violence and substance misuse.

At the time, housing chiefs at Bristol City Council admitted they had concerns about teaming up with a developer accused of creating “human warehousing” - but said they were "determined to make this development a success and thriving community in which to live".

Caridon turned it into homes without the need for planning consent under permitted development rights, which meant the usual regulations stipulating minimum sizes did not apply.

According to the floor plans submitted to Bristol City Council, studios at the development start at 18m2 - which is smaller than the average 29m2 shipping container - while the two bedroom flats at the site start at 38m2 and go up to 76m2.

The law was changed last year and it now requires new homes built under permitted development rights to be over 37m2, with two-bedrooms units being a minimum of 61m2.

Bristol City Council and Caridon were contacted for comment.

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