BELTA seeks pro bono architectural support for a community-led extension project on Bristol Estate, Brighton.

What do they need help with?

Bristol Estate Leaseholders and Tenants’ Association (BELTA) is a resident-led organisation representing over 1,000 people across 33 housing blocks on the Bristol Estate in East Brighton. BELTA’s focus is on building a vibrant, supportive, and inclusive community, with initiatives including affordable food, community meals, free and low-cost events, arts and wellbeing projects, and resident advocacy. The organisation prioritises listening to residents and ensuring decisions are made collaboratively, rather than top-down.

BELTA is now seeking pro bono architectural support for a community-led extension project to enhance the shared spaces available to residents. The proposed extension, which will be approximately 70-100m², will create a new area for community activities and services, continuing BELTA’s mission of building a more inclusive and supportive environment on the estate.

The support needed includes concept design drawings and options, scaled layout drawings (existing and proposed) to RIBA Stage 2, and guidance on planning and regulatory requirements, including accessibility considerations. Visualisations would be helpful for community engagement and fundraising efforts. Additionally, BELTA seeks advice on phasing the build and indicative cost estimates to support future fundraising.

The project has made great progress already, with an existing floor plan available and internal upgrades already completed within the current space. BELTA has secured funding for a feasibility study, and initial engagement with the local council has been positive, with support and assistance from the council.

This is a promising opportunity to contribute to a meaningful, community-driven initiative that has strong local backing and is focused on improving the lives of residents.

Timeline

As soon as possible

About the organisation

BELTA (Bristol Estate Leaseholders and Tenants’ Association) is a resident-led organisation representing over 1,000 people across 33 housing blocks on the Bristol Estate in East Brighton. The organisation is run by volunteer trustees who live on the estate and focuses on creating a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community. BELTA offers a range of services including access to affordable food, community meals, arts and crafts activities, wellbeing projects, and advocacy for residents. The organisation is dedicated to listening to the voices of residents and working collaboratively to improve life on the estate.

BELTA’s community-led approach has helped foster a sense of belonging among residents, and the proposed extension project will further enhance the space available for community activities, promoting inclusivity and cohesion across the estate.

https://belta.org.uk