A major £50 million redevelopment of the long-vacant Hartwells Garage site in Newbridge has begun its initial enabling and pre-construction survey works.
How the Hartwells development could look | Image © Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
It marks the first step in transforming the former brownfield site into a new mixed-use neighbourhood.
The 8.4-acre (3.4-hectare) project, led by automotive and property development company Hartwell Plc, will replace the former car showroom on Newbridge Road, which closed in 2019, with new homes, purpose-built student accommodation, commercial space and significant improvements to public realm, walking and cycling infrastructure.
Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris architects, the scheme will provide 104 studio, one, two and three-bedroom apartments aimed at young professionals and postgraduates, alongside 186 student bedrooms intended to help reduce pressure on Bath’s housing market by freeing up HMOs.
New A1/A3 commercial units will support local services and amenities.
Plans also include extensive public realm enhancements such as new trees, climate-resilient planting, green spaces and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) to improve water management and biodiversity.
A new walking and cycling route will create a safe, sustainable link to the Bristol–Bath cycle path.
How the rear of the Hartwells development could look | Image © Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
The development will contribute £1.68 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding for local services and aims to improve connections in west Bath while supporting the city’s long-term housing and environmental commitments.
Construction will also provide local job opportunities, apprenticeships and work placements through a targeted recruitment and training plan.
Joanne Churchill, group property manager at Hartwell, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to regenerate a key brownfield site and deliver high-quality homes, student accommodation, green public spaces, and sustainable infrastructure that directly benefit the Newbridge community and wider city.
“The project represents a major investment in Bath’s future.”
She said the initial works will include removing the old canopy and carrying out pre-construction surveys, with updates to follow as the scheme progresses.
Hartwell is being supported by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Mcfarlane and Associates, Walsingham Planning, Ridge, Stantec, IMA Transport Planning and Aspect Ecology.
