Residents 'in shock' at plan to demolish flats

People living in a Bristol block of flats which will be demolished say they are "in shock" after being given until March 2026 to find somewhere else to live.

Faults with the construction of Bouverie Court, in Easton, mean it needs £4m worth of repairs - a bill housing association Elim Housing says it cannot afford.

The company which built the block, ISG Pearce, has since gone into administration meaning Elim cannot recover its costs.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make," said Elim's chief executive Paul Smith. "We know these are people's lives."

Mr Smith told the BBC the building needs cladding replaced and also has "serious issues" with its roof.

"There are gaps between the wall and the roof that make homes hard to heat and there are problems with the sewage system and compartmentalisation which is meant to stop fires from spreading," he said.

With 22,000 households on Bristol City Council's social housing waitlist, residents of Bouverie Court told the BBC they were worried about securing a new home within the time available.

"I was waiting for a house for a really long time," said resident Salma Ahmed.

"It's heartbreaking to hear they're demolishing the building and I'm still trying to process the news."

The building was completed in 2011 but Elim said it was not until 10 years later that issues first came to light.

Mr Smith said: "When we build now we have someone there to catalogue work and make sure everything is being done properly and no corners are cut - but that obviously didn't happen here."

"It was inspected on completion in 2011 and it passed building regulations but the advice that we have received since is that it shouldn't have.

"We've brought in specialists to investigate and look at what's behind the walls and what they've found is shocking - one said it's the worst he has ever seen."

Rahma Ismail and her family moved into Bouverie Court in 2011.

She said there has been a leak "on and off" for nine years but she was shocked to read a letter informing her of the building's demolition.

"I thought it was just the leak but it's everything else as well - I'm just in shock," she said.

"We haven't been told anything about where we might move."

Teacher Junior Cadima has lived in the building with his mum and two sisters since 2011.

"My family were quite upset," he said. "Even though we have a year it feels like we are living in uncertainty.

"To find a four-bed place will be tough and I don't know if we'll be able to find somewhere."

Elim said it would work with residents to help them find new homes and said it would prioritise Bouverie Court residents if homes at its other properties become available.

Chair of Bristol City Council's homes and housing delivery committee Barry Parsons said he understands it is an "unsettling" time for Bouverie Court residents and confirmed the council will continue to work with Elim to re-house them.

"We are committed to facing the housing challenge head on and ensuring support is there for those who need temporary and permanent housing," he said.