Blocks evicted from Bristol could be demolished and replaced

A block of flats in Bristol which was evicted last year could finally be demolished and replaced. Town Hall chiefs are considering several options for the future of Barton House, including both demolition and extensive refurbishment, but nothing has yet been decided.

Bristol City Council commissioned documents exploring the option of demolition after serious concerns were raised about structural problems. Barton House, in Barton Hill, east of the city centre, was built in the 1950s and is Bristol’s oldest tower block.

Hundreds of residents left their homes last November amid fears the block could collapse in the event of a fire, and most returned in February after the building was made safe. Details of what could happen next are expected this summer as the council reviews its tower blocks.

Read more: Barton House is now safe for residents to move back in, the council says

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A recent freedom of information request revealed that two council reports have been written exploring whether or not Barton House should be demolished. But the response has refused to release these reports and associated emails as the heritage review is still ongoing.

The request asked for “copies of proposals for the demolition and replacement of Barton House made on or after November 1, 2023.” The response then confirmed that these documents existed.

The reply read: “Having reviewed the results of the new searches, I can tell you that the information consists of an internal ‘options assessment’ report for Barton House (with an additional supplementary document) dated September 2023, prepared for consideration by the area of services and higher management boards; an externally commissioned ‘Development Scenarios’ report for Barton House from November 2023; and emails regarding the commissioning and preparation of both reports.”

In response, the council said the documents were exempt from freedom of information law because they were “materials in progress”. This means that because they are part of a larger review, they do not have to release the information until that review is complete.

A public update to residents on the progress of the review is expected by the end of July. The review assesses the “long-term viability” of several of the council’s tower blocks, many of which were built in the 1960s, with older buildings in poor condition being prioritized.

The council was asked to comment. A spokesman for Acorn, the community union representing some Barton House residents, said they would soon meet with Green councilor Barry Parsons, the new chairman of the housing policy committee.

Acorn said: “This is further evidence of what Acorn members at Barton House have been saying for a long time: the council withheld information from residents. Residents are being asked to trust the council when they say Barton House is now safe. Council leaders should ask themselves: Would you trust someone withholding information from you?

“The previous council administration consistently withheld information and repeatedly refused invitations to meet representatives of the Acorn block at Barton House. But since the local elections, the council is under new management. The new chairman of the housing committee, Barry Parsons, has agreed to meet representatives of the Acorn block. We hope this is the start of a new relationship between residents and the council. Trust will have to be rebuilt.”