The Bath Quays North site, where the Avon Street car park currently stands, will now be developed by the University of Bath and Bath & North East Somerset Council, it has been revealed.
Previous plans for how the Bath Quays North development would look | Image © B&NES Council / Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects
Following the expiry of the development agreement between the local authority and L&G, the new partnership has been formed to develop a vision for the future of the site.
Plans for Bath Quays North were approved in May following years of work, described as “the most significant development in Bath in a generation”.
The two organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to determine the development of the city centre land.
Leaders from the University of Bath and B&NES Council said they are “delighted” to begin their collaboration on a joint vision for regenerating the 2.2-hectare brownfield site.
Signing the Memorandum of Understanding allows conversations to start about possibilities including new space for research, innovation and enterprise activities, bringing important economic activity to the heart of the city.
The parties will use the existing outline planning permission for the Bath Quays North site as a basis for these discussions.
Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “The development of the Bath Quays sites – both South and North – are a key aspect of delivering our economic strategy for this authority.
“With the recent announcement of two significant lettings, Bath Quays South is now almost fully let and is securing hundreds of jobs in the city, generating real economic benefit and renewal.
“Delivery of the Bath Quays North site is now our focus and the recent planning approval marks a major development in delivering the scheme.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone for the city and University, following the collaboration which resulted in the signing of our Civic Agreement and for the work of the Future Ambition Board.
“These commitments set out the case for our city’s anchor institutions to work in partnership with business, the public and third sectors to drive inclusive economic prosperity, create high value jobs and enhance public wellbeing, in line with the Economic Strategy for Bath and North East Somerset 2024-2034.
“We look forward to working with the University of Bath over the coming months to make our Bath Quays North vision a reality.”
Professor Ian White, President & Vice Chancellor of the University of Bath, said: “This exciting opportunity could create a new dimension to a range of university activities, boosting our life-changing research and job-creating innovation.
“This agreement marks the beginning of our conversations, but the site could enable more public involvement with our science and research, and help our city retain more of our graduate talent, start-up and spin-out businesses that begin life at the University of Bath and attract further inward investment.
“We at the University of Bath are deeply proud of our home city, and this agreement could unlock the next phase of the University’s development, one that is co-created with partners, enabling us to play an even bigger role in building the vibrant and thriving city and region we seek.”
As conversations develop about new possibilities, the University and B&NES Council will explore opportunities and engage with potential partners, residents and other stakeholders.
Both the University of Bath and the council were signatories to the recent Future Ambition Civic Agreement, which brought together four of Bath’s anchor institutions after working over several years to develop effective ways to meaningfully collaborate.
