Ecomotive helps celebrate The Bristol Housing Festival
Friday 25th October saw the Bristol Old Vic host the Bristol Housing Festival conference which was focused on exploring the role of self-build and community led housing in Bristol. Many specialists in the field came along as speakers, including TV presenter Charlie Luxton, Kelly Thomas (Bristol City Council), MP Richard Bacon (All Party Parliamentary Group on Self build & Custom & Community Housebuilding and Placemaking) , Steffie Broer (Bright Green Futures), Keith Cowling (Chair of Bristol Community Land Trust), Melissa Mean (Knowle West Media Centre), Mark Pepper (Ambition Lawrence Weston), Lindy Morgan (Southmead Development Trust), David Tudgey (P.I.T.C.H), Jessica Hodge (Emmaus Bristol), Helen Bone (Specialist Housing Delivery, Homes England), Rose Seagrief (Power to Change) and Anna Hope of Ecomotive.
Anna (Right) was also part of the panel, discussing new ideas in Community led housing.
Anna showcased some of the larger scale community-led housing projects going on in Europe such as the Mehr als Wohnen in Zurich and the Wagnis in Munich.
Anna also mentioned how local authorities in Germany facilitate community-led housing and group self build projects by allocating them plots within larger housing developments. Groups can bid for plots based on a fixed price, with plots being sold to groups that have the best visions in terms of affordability, sustainability and contribution to the local community.
Jackson (left) introduces Ecomotive Intern Daniyaal Sadiq (right) to MP Richard Bacon (centre). Discussing the role of community led housing in delivering the housing need requirements of the UK.
On the following day, Lockleaze celebrated as part of the festival what makes homes and places great. The family friendly event had many activities for everyone of different ages, bringing local residents of the area together to discuss new ideas and further development. It was a great opportunity for people to look into development proposals, become inspired by fresh ideas and projects, as well as analyse existing opportunities for Community-led Housing in Lockleaze. Despite the torrential downpour, it was great connecting with many people who came.
The Wordsworth Centre in Lockleaze during the Bristol Housing Festival.
The event began at Gainsborough square, which was followed by a tour down to the Wordsworth Centre. Where our first SNUG cinema was launched, showcasing films on community led housing projects that some members of the Ecomotive team have visited, or have been part of, including Ashley Vale.