Work to prepare the former gas works site in Bath for the development of around 900 homes as well as a riverside park is under way. Contractors have begun work on land remediation and infrastructure on the Bath Western Riverside Phase 2 site.
The main picture shows from left: Donné Caswell, Homes England, Councillor Matt McCabe, Elkie Russell, Berkeley, Councillor Kevin Guy, Dan Norris, Mayor of the West of England.
The 12.4 acre brownfield site is owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council and developer Berkeley Homes. Berkeley Homes, who are carrying out the remediation work, which is expected to be completed by next spring.
Earlier this year, cabinet members approved £18,202,421 of additional funding from Homes England Housing & Infrastructure Funding (HIF) for the work.
The production and storage of gas at Bath Gasworks commenced in the early 19th century and continued until the late 20th century.
The council used the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority Land Acquisition Fund to acquire the three large gas holders in the centre of the site and the surrounding land, which was owned by National Grid, was transferred to St William (Berkeley Homes). A land swap in 2024 provided both parties with developable plots of land.
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.”
Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, said:“It’s right that we build new homes in the right places, and redevelop brownfield land. Bath Riverside is just that. This former gas works, around the corner from Oldfield Park railway station, will in the not-too-distant future be home to around 900 new homes, a nursery, and a new park.
“I’m delighted that the £8 million investment from my Mayoral Combined Authority to secure the site has led to this £18.2 million funding from Homes England to finish unlocking the space for the new homes that local people need in central Bath.”