SNG to deliver 66 affordable homes at Baltic Wharf in Bristol
We’ve purchased 66 new homes at the Baltic Wharf harbourside development in Bristol with the support of grant funding from Homes England. The deal secures 50 homes for social rent which will be available to people on Bristol City Council’s Homechoice register and 16 properties for Shared Ownership.
The homes will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments and form part of wider development of 166 homes being delivered through a Joint Venture between the council’s housebuilding company Goram Homes and housebuilder The Hill Group. Work is due to start on site imminently at the western end of the floating harbour. New landscaped spaces at the heart of the development will open this area up to the public for the first time. There will also be commercial spaces for cafes or retail outlets.
The Baltic Wharf development received planning consent in April 2024. In July this year, members of the council’s planning committee approved a new way to secure affordable housing which has paved the way for SNG to purchase these homes. Goram Homes is the council’s house building company and Baltic Wharf is its fifth development in the city to date.
James Gibson, SNG’s Regional Managing Director – West, commented: “Baltic Wharf promises to be a fantastic development, and we’re really pleased to be able to progress with delivering affordable homes at this site. Overall, it will help to support SNG’s ambition to build 2,500 new homes a year.”
Cllr Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Policy Committee on Bristol City Council, said: “The council’s plans for new homes at Baltic Wharf have been years in the making, so it’s fantastic to reach this milestone.
“Everyone should have access to a safe, warm, and affordable home, and we’re committed to building the right homes, in the right places. This partnership with SNG secures 40% affordable housing for this landmark development, providing much needed new homes in the centre of Bristol.
“It’s also a perfect example of why we have our own housing company to help us find solutions to our housing challenges. This development proves it is absolutely possible to build high quality, city centre developments with the levels of affordable housing we so desperately need.”
Stephen Baker, Managing Director of Goram Homes, added: “We cannot ignore the housing crisis. As developers, we must find solutions to ensure policy levels of affordable homes are built, even in a challenging market. With SNG on board, and Homes England grant funding in place, we are now ready to get building what is a beautifully designed scheme in a prime waterfront Bristol location.
“A significant portion of any profit we make will go back to the council, to be reinvested into the city or the development of more new homes. We have also worked closely with the Harbour Authority to make sure it receives best value for its land.”
Allan O’Brien, Regional Director at The Hill Group, commented: “We are delighted to partner with SNG as the affordable housing provider at Baltic Wharf. Delivering high-quality, sustainable homes for the local community is a key priority for us, especially in Bristol, where the demand for housing remains high. We are looking forward to breaking ground on this project and transforming Baltic Wharf into a vibrant, thriving new neighbourhood that will contribute to the city’s growth.”
Hill will organise a drop-in event before construction on the new homes starts in earnest, to introduce nearby residents and businesses to the development team.