Work has started to transform a dilapidated former chocolate factory in Bristol into new homes.
Bristol-based commercial construction company Sweet Construct has begun work on the Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory in Easton.
Ninety-six flats and 44 houses are being built on the site as well as 15,000 sq ft of flexible workspace, a café-bar and a community hub.
The original office building is being kept as part of the scheme and a landscaped public open space has been incorporated into the design.
There will also be easy access to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, according to developers Generator South West.
John Richards, project lead at Sweet Construct, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by our client, leading regeneration expert Generator South West and to be working on such an interesting project in this area of Bristol."
Mr Richards says the company will be working closely with the local community but admitted there would be “some disruption” in the early stages of the project.
He added: “Due to the nature of the construction work required there will inevitably be some disruption in the early stages, and so we have put in place several additional initiatives to ensure the highest quality of delivery.
“Together with Generator South West, we shall continue to liaise with the local community as work on site progresses through to completion of the project.
“We are confident that everybody in the area will be able to enjoy and benefit from the redeveloped site in due course at the same time make full use of the landscaped areas and new access to the extremely popular Bristol and Bath Railway Path.”
Last year the project came under criticism by the general public, according to Bristol Live, after plans were approved with no affordable housing as part of the scheme.
Developers said at the time that affordable housing was not viable. A spokesperson for Generator South West told Bristol Live: “Under the approved planning consent, there is no affordable housing on site.”
