Property news 2.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2020 10:16 Page 1
PROPERTY NEWS
BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM ACROSS THE CITY’S BOOMING SECTOR Two local brokers have launched a new mortgage advice business
LOCKLEAZE LOVE
A NEW CHAPTER
Bristol City Council’s cabinet has been asked to consider a proposal to dispose of disused land in Lockleaze to enable Legal & General to deliver over 180 new modular homes. Bonnington Walk in Lockleaze is a former allotment gardens and has been allocated for housing in Bristol’s local plan for over 20 years. It is one of 43 sites the council has made available for new housing since 2016. The council and its partner The Bristol Housing Festival is suggesting that the land is developed using modern methods of construction, as an innovative solution to help address the shortage of housing in north Bristol. Modular homes that are built using modern methods of construction can be of higher quality and built to last, as a result of the factory environment in which the components are created and strict quality control. “We’re doing everything we can to accelerate the building of housing across the city, especially council housing,” said Councillor Paul Smith. “Working in partnership with Legal & General Modular Homes means homes will be manufactured offsite and completed onsite, allowing homes to be built in days instead of months. It is particularly important to be building homes that people can afford, and I am pleased that there’s a commitment for up to 51% of the homes to be affordable through a mixture of homes for council housing and shared ownership.” The proposed development will see improvements made to adjoining areas, including a community orchard, as part of a long-term plan to invest in Lockleaze.
A Bristol businessman with a fascination for historical properties has bought the listed Wellhead building at Finzels Reach, which he plans to transform into a bar and café. Ian Johnson, who has already transformed the Clifton Observatory into a café with a rooftop terrace and plans to turn the Clifton Rocks Railway into a museum, has bought the building from Cubex. Directly overlooking the floating harbour, the Wellhead building was originally used to draw up water from the docks for the brewing process for Georges Brewery, which was founded on the site in the 18th century. Also part of the sale is a covered terrace, which has the Brewmaster’s Office overhead. “We’re delighted to be working to launch The Wellhead, a new café and cocktail bar in Finzels Reach, which will complement the fantastic restoration of other historic brewery buildings on the site,” says Ian. “We’ve always had an interest in working with old buildings, and the forerunner of Georges Brewery on this site was founded in 1788, just 22 years after the Observatory was built.” Work was undertaken last year by Cubex, the developers behind Finzels Reach, to sensitively renovate the Wellhead building, which required significant work, including replacing the roof and retaining the original brickwork and fabric of the listed building. “The Wellhead is very prominent at Finzels Reach, effectively acting as the ‘front door’ to the new neighbourhood,” said Gavin Bridge at Cubex. “We are particularly pleased to have sold it to Ian Johnson, who has such an interest in bringing some of Bristol’s most fascinating historic buildings back to life.”
• legalandgeneral.com/modular
• finzelsreach.com
HELPING TO BUY A Bristol-based mortgage business has been launched by two entrepreneurial mortgage brokers with a passion for providing friendly, easy-to-understand mortgage advice. With 20 years’ combined experience, Peter Lloyd and Adam Wells launched Lloyd Wells Mortgages to make the process of house buying, for first-time buyers, buy-to-let investors and remortgagers, hassle-free. “There is a mortgage for everyone – even in the current climate,” says Adam, recently named a Top Rated Adviser in The Times’ 2020 guide. “There will always be a level of uncertainty about finance and mortgages, but it’s so important for us to put people at ease. We pride ourselves on delivering a relaxed service at what can often be a stressful milestone in life. “We make a point of going to our client’s home or place of work for their full appointment. It’s common for most mortgage advisors to not leave the office or meet clients in person, but we’re passionate about going on that journey with our clients – after all it’s usually one of the biggest financial decisions they’ll ever make!” Lloyd Wells Mortgages offers downto-earth, practical home-purchasing advice thanks to extensive experience in delivering a wealth of complicated mortgage applications. The expertise of the specialist team ensures all circumstances, however niche, are catered for with a range of viable financial options. “Bristol has always been a destination for attracting employment growth within the media, arts and creative sectors,” adds Peter. “Over the past few years, this has resulted in an increase in individuals working as freelancers, contractors or entrepreneurial start-ups. It’s a common misconception that mortgage applications are simply not possible with just one years’ worth of accounts, but we’re here to help debunk those mortgage myths and help more independent young professionals become property owners.”
• lloydwellsmortgages.co.uk
82 THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE
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APRIL 2020
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No 190
