Mystery surrounds a housing development in Totterdown where building work appears to have come to a halt.

The development of 23 flats and a shop on the site of a former petrol station in Wells Road was expected to be completed in July after 15 months of work.

But the project has still not been completed and hoardings are still up at the front of the property, which is being developed by Westland Construction Limited.

The building, which replaced the former Texaco petrol station near the junction with School Road, has 3,500 sq ft shop on the ground floor and basement parking.

Steve Smith, one of Westland Construction Limited's directors, told the Evening Post in June that the end was in sight for the project within six weeks after it had been delayed by technical problems.

But when the Evening Post attempted to contact Mr Smith again, the company's telephone lines were dead and its website failed to load.

In June, Mr Smith said the apartments in the building had all been sold to Knightstone Housing Association and the shop would most likely be occupied by a food retailer.

When the Evening Post contacted Knightstone Housing Association this week about the delay in the completion of the homes, a spokeswoman refused to comment.

Plans to demolish the former Texaco petrol station near the junction of School Road and replace it with 13 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartments were given the go-ahead in 2007.

The site had been derelict since the petrol station closed in 2005.

Plans for changes, including amendments to the roof design and basement car park layout, were given the go-ahead by Bristol City Council in March.