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Commercial Property

Redevelopment of Bristol's old Soapworks building could create 2,000 jobs

Developer First Base has published a report outlining the community benefits the scheme could bring to the city over 20 years

A CGI of how the Soapworks development could look(Image: Woods Bagot/First Base)

Thousands of jobs could be created as part of the redevelopment of the historic Bristol Soapworks building, the developer behind the scheme has said.

First Base, which is transforming the Grade II listed former Gardiner Haskins outlet into 242 homes, offices and retail space, said its proposals would generate up to £200m in community benefits over the next 20 years, including 2,000 jobs.

According to a new report published by the developer, during the design, procurement, construction, estate management and operation of the scheme it is aiming to "improve local opportunities".

First Base has outlined a number of commitments in the report, which was created in collaboration with social enterprise The Social Value Portal. These include:

  • affordable housing in Old Market;

  • more than 2,000 new jobs for the local community, including for those not in education, employment or training (NEETS) and rehabilitated offenders;

  • skills and training opportunities for local people;

  • more than 6,000 sqm (equivalent to 23 tennis courts) of green, open and play spaces;

  • supporting diversity through procurement and in the supply chain;

  • committing to supporting local black, Asian and minority ethnic enterprises in partnership with Cognitive Paths and Black South West;

  • improving sustainable transport connectivity within a car-free development, promoting walking activities such as the Old Market Walking Tour and provision of new cycling infrastructure;

  • cleaner energy and improved environment, supported by the First Base sustainability charter, and more than 100 new species of plants and new trees with opportunities to ‘grow-your-own’ fruit and vegetables;

  • improving educational outcomes through work-place training opportunities for local people throughout construction and working with local schools and colleges;

  • reducing crime through training opportunities with the probation service and charities such as Sixty One;

  • working with local health groups, active lifestyle initiatives and wellbeing charities such as OTR;

  • minimising homelessness by working with charities such as 1625.

Lucinda Mitchell, project director at First Base said: “Embedding social value into our developments is at the heart of everything we do at First Base and the Soapworks is no exception.

"We want to ensure that tangible long-term community benefits are maximised throughout the life cycle of the project and that our proposals benefit wider society, whether that’s residents, workers or visitors to the site."

In October, First Base submitted revised plans for the site after a barrage of objections, including fears Old Market could reportedly be “dwarfed” by a 20-storey tower block included in the plans, according to BusinessLive’s sister site