Building a Fairer City: Affordable Homes on Public Land

In Bristol, something hopeful is happening. At the site of the former Greville Elderly Persons Home in Stockwood, a new kind of development is taking shape, one that puts people, community, and sustainability at its heart.

Bristol City Council is leading the way by using public land for public good. Rather than selling to the highest bidder, this land is being used to create homes that people can genuinely afford - not luxury apartments or speculative investments, but warm, welcoming places for real people to live, grow, and thrive.

Barefoot Architects is proud to be part of this project, which will deliver 26 new homes that are both ambitious and inclusive. The design includes 8 apartments, 4 bungalows, and 14 two- and three-bedroom houses, a thoughtful mix that reflects the needs of the community. Four of the homes will be fully wheelchair accessible, and the rest designed to adapt as people’s needs change. With a combination of affordable rent and shared ownership, these homes are designed to welcome a wide range of residents, helping to create a neighbourhood that’s diverse, connected, and resilient.

But this project isn’t just about providing homes - it’s about doing things better. The development uses a modern timber-frame construction from Donaldsons Timber, with a fabric-first approach that prioritises energy efficiency and sustainability. That means lower energy bills for residents, and lower carbon emissions for the planet. It’s the kind of thoughtful, future-proof housing that Bristol and cities across the UK need more of.

Greville is a powerful example of what’s possible when councils, architects, and communities work together. Across Bristol and beyond, there are underused plots of public land with the potential to be transformed into places where people can live well and belong. Every site like this is an opportunity to provide homes, to build community, and to show that housing can be a force for good.

We believe that everyone deserves a safe, secure, and sustainable home - and with the right vision, collaboration, and commitment, we can make that a reality. Greville is just the beginning.