our route to prosperity in bath and north east somerset · the cotswolds and the mendip hills. this...

Our Route to Prosperity in Bath and North East Somerset

The combination of Bath, the three market towns – Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and Radstock, along with the surrounding villages and countryside is rich in character, synergy and potential. Through our strengths and future potential in world-class innovation, creativity and wellbeing and vitality, we have a major opportunity to develop a stronger economic future for the entire district.

Treasure and Transform Bath and North East Somerset

LocaLLy Distinctive, GLobaLLy connecteD

RaDstocK

MiDsoMeRnoRton

KeynsHaM

batH

3TREASURE AND TRANSFORM oUR RoUte to PRosPeRity

2

A 20-year Vision

The Vision for Bath and North East Somerset was established in 2005. We are now in year six of a 20-year plan – a good moment to review what we set out to achieve, what has been delivered already and to encourage those who have not yet joined the journey to get on board.

Our route to prosperity in Bath and North East Somerset

Whether you are the chief executive of a multi-million pound property or investment company, a business-person looking to re-locate, or a local resident wondering what sort of place your children will live in, our route to prosperity concerns and involves you.

oUR RoUte to PRosPeRity conceRns anD invoLves yoU

This brochure is about the economic transformation of Bath and North East Somerset. It is about the projects that are shaping the future of the district – not just Bath, but Keynsham and the Somer Valley towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock.

TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY

4 5

A sense of place

These projects are connected by a 20-year plan – The Vision for Bath and North East Somerset. And of course they are connected by our common heritage, identity, talents and aspirations.

Building on the past Natural beauty

There are large areas of outstanding natural beauty within this region – including the Cotswolds and the Mendip Hills. This helps to attract visitors and is a fantastic incentive for businesses and individuals to relocate to the area.

The area is characterised by an outstanding quality of built environment – particularly in the World Heritage City of Bath. In recent years, the beautifully preserved Georgian townscape has been complemented by high-quality contemporary architecture.

Che

w V

alle

y © Ia

n W

ade P

hoto

grap

hy

Publ

ic re

alm

imag

es co

urte

sy o

f Cit

y ID


6 7

The talent to succeed

There is exceptional talent to underpin the economic transformation of Bath and North East Somerset – 32.6% of the local population are graduates, compared to the national average of 29%. The University of Bath has internationally recognised expertise in ccience, engineering, design and management. Bath Spa University has an emphasis on excellence in the arts and strong links to the cultural and creative industries. Our schools (public and private) achieve excellent results in GCSE and at A level, and our further education colleges ensure a constant supply of well-qualified people across many industries and functions. 30% of people in the area have an NVQ level of 4 or 5.

© U

nive

rsit

y of B

ath

© U

nive

rsit

y of B

ath

© B

ath

Spa U

nive

rsit

y

© B

ath

Spa U

nive

rsit

y

We are aiming high

By 2026, we want the economy of Bath and North East Somerset to be more environmentally sustainable, with increased local employment, less overall commuting by car and a strong low-carbon business sector.We want a socially inclusive economy with a focus on lifelong learning and relevant workforce skills. Our vision is to create a more diverse, productive and resilient economy, where knowledge-based workers can find jobs locally and where the innovation of our education establishments is applied commercially.

by 2026 oUR PLan is to incRease tHe Gva by £1.6 biLLion

Surprising Bath

Behind the Georgian walls are global leaders – in sectors that range from graphic design, through TV production through to femtocell (wireless broadband) development. Within the World Heritage City there is stunning contemporary architecture. There is innovation and entrepreneurialism even within our traditional economic sectors. The Roman Baths, for example, houses ancient treasures, yet we use state-of-the-art technology to help visitors interpret them.

Q: Which of these contribute the most to Bath’s economy:a Tourism b Retail c Creative

Q: Outside of California, the biggest cluster of silicon design companies in the world is located in:a Bangalore b Shanghai c South-West England

Q: Since 2005, Bath and North East Somerset Council has been involved in completed public and/or private sector projects valued at:a £50 million b £250 million c £500 million


8 9

NEWBRIDGE

TWERTON

WHITEWAY

OLDFIELD PARK

WESTON

LANSDOWN

WALCOT

CITY CENTRE

LOWER WESTON

SION HILL

COMBEPARK

WESTONPARK

ROYAL VICTORIA PARK

ALEXANDRAPARK

HIGH COMMON

HENRIETTAPARK

1

2

3

4

56

7 89

BATH SPA STATION

OLDFIELD PARKSTATION

pico

Arr

ay d

ie in

w

afer

#3

© P

icoc

hip

Glo

phot

onic

s © T

he B

ath

Vent

ures

Inno

vatio

n C

entr

e

© U

nive

rsit

y of B

ath

City of ideas

Bath in the future will be a city where knowledge and creativity combine to create value and enhance quality of life.Bringing together business and academia supported by infrastructure.

Surprising Bath

Just as the world has changed, so has the transformation of the area begun.

© G

etty

Imag

es

Maps are indicative only

Bath ‘City of Ideas’ Enterprise Area This area of Bath has 36 hectares of developable land within a 96 hectare area which has the potential to deliver mixed-use development with an emphasis towards office and employment use:

1 Carrs Mill Area Total Area – 24,700m2

2 Stable Yard Area Total Area – 28,280m2

3 Bath Press Total Area – 21,510m2

4 Bath Western Riverside Total Area – 147,000m2

5 Bath Western Riverside East Total Area – 48,730m2

6 Green Park Station Total Area – 24,200m2

7 Bath Quays South & South Bank Total Area – 25,140m2

8 Bath Quays North Total Area – 27,340m2

9 Manvers Street Total Area – 14,450m2


10 11

Transport Flood mitigation

Superfast Broadband

One of the key building blocks for economic prosperity is good transport infrastructure. Links between the outskirts of Bath and the city centre are due to benefit from the Bath Transportation Package.

Flood prevention measures for the River Avon are an important element of long-term economic sustainability by enabling the release of city centre sites for redevelopment and protecting existing assets.

Superfast broadband will bring improvements in connection speeds for small businesses and local people.

© B

T Br

oadb

and

Building a sustainable base

While tourism and high-value retail will always be important sectors, we have made a conscious effort – based on detailed research and feasibility studies that show we have the potential to deliver – to encourage enterprise in the areas of information, communication and environmental technologies and creative professions. This diversification is essential if we are to develop a broad, sustainable base for economic transformation.Bath and North East Somerset Council’s role in economic transformation varies from the creation of a planning framework that is conducive to appropriate development through to capital funding of key projects.The Council also has a huge bank of experience of delivering major capital projects on time and within budget, and this will prove invaluable over the next 15 years.Our aim is to act as a catalyst, ensuring that the infrastructure and conditions are in place to allow businesses to thrive, creating a cohesive, coherent, sustainable ‘big picture’ into which individual initiatives can fit.It doesn’t matter how well-laid your plans are, the world can change just as individual enterprises can change. There is flexibility in our vision, and the ability to adapt to circumstances and opportunities.

13TREASURE AND TRANSFORM oUR RoUte to PRosPeRity

12

Done and dusted

All of these projects have been completed by either the public or private sector across the area:

Thermae Bath Spa The SouthGate CentreCombe Down Stone MinesMilsom Place Bath Bus StationBuilding schools – Writhlington, St Nicholas and Trinity, Three Ways BathThree new and one refurbished Community Resource Centres Kingsmead ComplexCircle Bath, Peasedown St JohnKomedia and River Cottage CanteenPedestrianisation of St James rampire

Wessex Water HQExtension to City of Bath CollegeTheatre Royal Bath – Main House upgradeRefurbishment of the Ustinov and the EggRoman Baths upgradeNational Cycle Network 24 (Bath to Radstock)260+ homes delivered in Paulton and at St Peters Factory in Midsomer Norton Radstock MuseumRadstock Memorial GardenPlay park and skateboard park at Midsomer Norton

Up and running

All of these projects are underway:Bath Western RiversideBath Spa Railway Station and Brunel SquareBath Abbey redevelopment Keynsham Town Hall redevelopmentBath City Centre improvementsThe Holburne MuseumIdentification of strategic sites for potential development (particularly for modern office space)Public transport improvements including the Bath Transportation PackageRadstock town centre regeneration scheme


14 15

Looking to the future

There is huge potential within these sites, which fall within the next phase of our route to prosperity and are at varying stages of progress. We will continue to help and encourage the lead partners in these projects to give them the best chance of success. We will also remain open to appropriate opportunities, as they arise and evolve.

Potential future projects include, for example:Bath City Riverside:– Bath Quays North– Bath Quays South– Green Park Station area– Bath Western Riverside East– Riverside Business Park area– Riverside site in the Lower

Bristol Road/Locksbrook areaBroad Street Car Park, BathManvers Street, BathMinistry of Defence sites at Foxhill, Ensleigh and Warminster Road, BathFurther a field:640 acre site at Somerdale, KeynshamMidsomer Norton and Radstock town centre improvementsPaulton Printing Factory and Old Mills in the Somer Valley


16 17

homes

Well-qualified

We are working with education providers to increase the number of working age residents with at least Level 2 NVQ. The percentage of graduates in this area is already higher than both the national and regional averages.

A place to call home

Up to 11500 homes will be built over the next 20 years to underpin our economic growth by helping those that want to, to live and work in and around Bath.

Travel broadens the mind

There is a comprehensive plan to improve public transport and access to Bath, so that people who live in affordable areas can work wherever they want – and wherever employers need them. We are making major investments in our transport, communications and flood prevention infrastructure, in order to drive sustainable economic growth.

11500


18 19

Public realm

There is a comprehensive strategy in place to improve the streets, pavements and squares in Bath. The first of these improvements is due to be implemented in 2011, and this will have the effect of improving the overall experience for visitors, residents and workers in the City.

HISTORIc cOnTExT IS THE RIgHT wAY fORwARd fOR BATHUnesco, 2009

2

5Images on opposite page: 1 Martin Stockley Associates2 Bath Street 1987

Bath in Time – Bath Central Library3 Northumberland Place 1960s: Bath in Time – Bath Central Library4 Stall Street c.1930

Bath in Time – Bath Central Library5 View of the Cross Bath 1974

Bath in Time – Bath Central Library6 Stall Street 1883

Bath in Time – Bath Central Library7 Northumberland Place 1950s:

Bath in Time – Bath Preservation Trust8 Architect: Gustafson Porter,

Photographer: James Newton. Image courtesy of Speirs and Major

1

46

3

7

8


20 21

wE'RE PROUd Of OUR PAST, OUR HERITAgE, OUR cOMMUnITIES – THEY PROvIdE A SOlId fOUndATIOn fOR EvERYTHIng THAT wE ARE dOIng

© T

rini

ty G

roun

ds d

ay


22 23

Development & Major Projects 10 Palace Yard Mews Bath BA1 2NHT 01225 396553 F 01225 425294www.bathnes.gov.uk

stee

rsm

cgill

anev

es de

sign.

co.u

k

our route to prosperity in bath and north east somerset · the cotswolds and the mendip hills. this...

Documents