Preparations have begun for the transformation of a former gasworks site in Bath into 900 new private and affordable homes. Contractors have initiated land remediation and infrastructure work on the Bath Western Riverside Phase 2 site.
The 12.4-acre brownfield site is jointly owned by Bath and North East Somerset Council and property developer Berkeley Homes. The latter, known for its expertise in regenerating underused gasworks and gasholder sites, is overseeing the remediation work, which is slated for completion by next spring.
Earlier this year, cabinet members greenlit an additional £18.2m from Homes England Housing and Infrastructure Funding (HIF) for the project. The council utilised the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Land Acquisition Fund to purchase three large gas holders at the heart of the site, while the surrounding land, previously owned by National Grid, was transferred to St William (Berkeley Homes).
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A land swap in 2024 provided both parties with plots suitable for development, and close collaboration with Homes England has ensured the plans enhance local heritage and align with the city's UNESCO World Heritage status. HIF was used to carry out the gas rationalisation and associated enabling works, removing the network of live gas pipes across the site.
The second stage of the project will include the land remediation, removal of the east pipe bridge and tree planting.
Councillor Matt McCabe, cabinet member for built environment, housing and sustainable development, said: "I am very pleased to see work is under way to prepare the site for the delivery of Phase 2. It allows us to make further progress on our commitment to provide a mix of homes that are badly needed in our area.
"We are extremely grateful to Homes England and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for the grant funding that allowed us to secure delivery of this strategically important regeneration project in the heart of Bath."
Critical to the council's housing provisions, the development forms part of both the five-year housing supply detailed in the Local Plan Partial Update and central to the council's Economic Strategy 2024-2034 and Housing Plan 2025-30, focusing on housing affordability.
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Berkeley's managing director, Elkie Russell, said: "We are excited to transform this redundant brownfield site into a new landmark place to live in the heart of Bath."
Once complete the new, high-quality, low-carbon private and affordable homes will sit alongside a new public park, river walk, café and children's nursery.
"We are hugely proud to be delivering these works in partnership with Bath and North East Somerset Council and Homes England, and to have the opportunity to transform this redundant brownfield site into a sustainable city centre neighbourhood," Mr Russell added.
"We have worked closely with the council, Historic England, ICOMOS and others throughout the planning process to design a place that positively contributes to the site's heritage and setting within Bath."
Pauline Schaffer, director of infrastructure funding at Homes England, said the Bath Western Riverside development was "an excellent example" of how funding from Homes England was helping to create new homes.
"It's great to see the regeneration of this site moving forward and we are committed to continuing to support Bath and North East Somerset Council and Berkley Homes to achieve their housing ambitions." she said.
West of England Mayor Dan Norris added: "I'm delighted that the £8m investment from my Mayoral Combined Authority to secure the site has led to this £18.2m funding from Homes England to finish unlocking the space for the new homes that local people need in central Bath."
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