Our Route to Prosperity in Bath and North East

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Treasure and Transform Bath and North East Somerset

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

MIDSOMER NORTON

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Our route to prosperity in Bath and North East A 20-year Vision Somerset

This brochure is about the The Vision for Bath and North East economic transformation of Bath and North East Somerset. It is about Somerset was established in 2005. We are the projects that are shaping the future of the district – our not just Bath, but Keynsham now in year six of a 20-year plan – a good and the Somer Valley towns route of Midsomer Norton and moment to review what we set out to achieve, Radstock. to what has been delivered already and to prosperity encourage those who have not yet joined concerns the journey to get on board. and involves Whether you are the chief executive of a multi-million pound property or you 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. 6 7 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY

A sense Building of place on the past Natural beauty

These projects are connected The area is characterised by There are large areas of by a 20-year plan – The an outstanding quality of built outstanding natural beauty Vision for Bath and North environment – particularly within this region – including East Somerset. And of course in the World Heritage City the Cotswolds and the they are connected by our of Bath. In recent years, Mendip Hills. This helps common heritage, identity, the beautifully preserved to attract visitors and is talents and aspirations. Georgian townscape has been a fantastic incentive for complemented by high-quality businesses and individuals contemporary architecture. to relocate to the area. Chew Photography Valley © Ian Wade Public realm images courtesy City of ID 8 9 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY © University Bath of We are The talent © Bath Spa University aiming high to succeed Surprising Bath

By 2026, we want the There is exceptional talent to Behind the Georgian walls Q: Which of these contribute economy of Bath and underpin the economic By 2026 our are global leaders – in sectors the most to Bath’s economy: North East Somerset to transformation of Bath and that range from graphic a Tourism be more environmentally North East Somerset – 32.6% design, through TV b Retail sustainable, with increased of the local population are plan is to production through to c Creative local employment, less graduates, compared to the femtocell (wireless overall commuting by car national average of 29%. The broadband) development. Q: Outside of California, and a strong low-carbon University of Bath has increase Within the World Heritage the biggest cluster of silicon business sector. internationally recognised City there is stunning design companies in the expertise in ccience, We want a socially inclusive the GVA by contemporary architecture. world is located in: engineering, design and economy with a focus on There is innovation and management. Bath Spa a Bangalore lifelong learning and relevant entrepreneurialism even University has an emphasis b Shanghai workforce skills. Our vision £1.6 Billion within our traditional on excellence in the arts and c South-West England is to create a more diverse, economic sectors. The Roman strong links to the cultural productive and resilient Baths, for example, houses and creative industries. economy, where knowledge- ancient treasures, yet we use Q: Since 2005, Bath and North based workers can find Our schools (public and state-of-the-art technology to East Somerset Council has jobs locally and where the private) achieve excellent help visitors interpret them. been involved in completed innovation of our education results in GCSE and at public and/or private sector establishments is applied A level, and our further projects valued at: commercially. education colleges ensure a £50 million a constant supply of well- b £250 million qualified people across many c £500 million industries and functions. 30% of people in the area have an NVQ level of 4 or 5. © Bath Spa University © University Bath of 10 11 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY  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 Surprising Bath 2 Stable Yard Area Total Area – 28,280m2 City of ideas 3 Bath Press Total Area – 21,510m2

4 Bath Western Riverside Total Area – 147,000m2 WESTON Just as the world 5 Bath Western Riverside East Bath in the future will Total Area – 48,730m2 has changed, so has 6 Green Park Station Total Area – 24,200m2 be a city where knowledge 7 Bath Quays South & South Bank the transformation Total LAAreaNS DO– 25,140mWN 2 and creativity combine to WESTON SION HILL8 2 PARK Bath Quays North Total Area – 27,340m of the area begun. 9 Manvers Street create value and enhance Glophotonics © The Bath Total Area – 14,450m2 MapsWA areLCOT indicative only quality of life. Ventures Innovation Centre HIGH COMMON COMBE PARK Bringing together business

NEWBRIDGE and academia supported ROYAL VICTORIA PARK by infrastructure. LOWER WESTON HENRIETTA PARK © Getty Images

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2 picoArray die in 3 6 5 CITY 1 CENTRE wafer #3 © Picochip

TWERTON 7 9 OLDFIELD PARK 8 STATION

BATH SPA STATION OLDFIELD PARK © University Bath of

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Building a Flood Superfast sustainable base Transport mitigation Broadband

While tourism and high-value retail One of the key building Flood prevention measures Superfast broadband will will always be important sectors, we for the River Avon are bring improvements in have made a conscious effort – based blocks for economic an important element connection speeds for small on detailed research and feasibility prosperity is good of long-term economic businesses and local people. studies that show we have the potential sustainability by enabling to deliver – to encourage enterprise in transport infrastructure. the release of city centre the areas of information, communication Links between the sites for redevelopment and and environmental technologies and protecting existing assets. creative professions. This diversification outskirts of Bath and © BT Broadband is essential if we are to develop a broad, the city centre are due sustainable base for economic to benefit from the Bath transformation. Transportation Package. 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. 14 15 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY

Done Up and and dusted running

All of these projects have been completed by All of these projects are underway: either the public or private sector across the area: Bath Western Riverside Bath Spa Railway Station Thermae Bath Spa Wessex Water HQ and Brunel Square The SouthGate Centre Extension to City Bath Abbey redevelopment Combe Down Stone Mines of Bath College Keynsham Town Hall redevelopment Milsom Place Theatre Royal Bath – Main House upgrade Bath City Centre Bath Bus Station improvements Refurbishment of the Building schools – The Holburne Museum Ustinov and the Egg Writhlington, Identification of strategic sites for potential St Nicholas and Trinity, Roman Baths upgrade development (particularly Three Ways Bath National Cycle Network for modern office space) 24 (Bath to Radstock) Public transport Three new and one improvements including the refurbished Community 260+ homes delivered Bath Transportation Package Resource Centres in Paulton and at Radstock town centre Kingsmead Complex St Peters Factory in regeneration scheme Midsomer Norton Circle Bath, Peasedown St John Radstock Museum Komedia and River Radstock Memorial Garden Cottage Canteen Play park and Pedestrianisation skateboard park at of St James rampire Midsomer Norton 16 17 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY

Looking to the future

There is huge potential Potential future projects within these sites, which fall include, for example: within the next phase of our route to prosperity and are at varying stages of progress. Bath City Riverside: – Bath Quays North We will continue to help and encourage the lead partners – Bath Quays South in these projects to give them – Green Park Station area the best chance of success. We will also remain open – Bath Western Riverside East to appropriate opportunities, – Riverside Business Park area as they arise and evolve. – Riverside site in the Lower Bristol Road/Locksbrook area Broad Street Car Park, Bath Manvers Street, Bath Ministry of Defence sites at Foxhill, Ensleigh and Warminster Road, Bath Further a field: 640 acre site at Somerdale, Keynsham Midsomer Norton and Radstock town centre improvements Paulton Printing Factory and Old Mills in the Somer Valley 18 19 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY

A place to Travel broadens call home Well-qualified the mind

Up to 11500 homes will be built We are working with education There is a comprehensive plan to over the next 20 years to underpin providers to increase the number improve public transport and access our economic growth by helping of working age residents with to Bath, so that people who live in those that want to, to live and work at least Level 2 NVQ. The affordable areas can work wherever in and around Bath. percentage of graduates in this area they want – and wherever employers is already higher than both the need them. We are making major national and regional averages. investments in our transport, communications and flood prevention infrastructure, in order to drive sustainable economic growth. 11500 homes 20 21 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY

Public 2 realm

There is a comprehensive strategy in place to improve the streets, pavements and 1 squares in Bath. The first of Historic these improvements is due to be implemented in 2011, and this will have the effect of improving the overall experience for visitors, context residents and workers in the City. is the right way 3

Images on opposite page: 6 5 4 1 Martin Stockley Associates forward 2 Bath Street 1987 Bath in Time – Bath Central Library 3 Northumberland Place 1960s: Bath in Time – Bath Central Library 4 Stall Street c.1930 for Bath Bath in Time – Bath Central Library 5 View of the Cross Bath 1974 UNESCO, 2009 Bath in Time – Bath Central Library 8 6 Stall Street 1883 Bath in Time – Bath Central Library 7 Northumberland Place 1950s: Bath in Time – Bath Preservation Trust 8 Architect: Gustafson Porter, Photographer: James Newton. 7 Image courtesy of Speirs and Major 22 23 TREASURE AND TRANSFORM OUR ROUTE TO PROSPERITY

We're proud of our past, our heritage, our communities – they provide a solid foundation for everything that © Trinity Grounds day we are doing Development & Major Projects 10 Palace Yard Mews Bath BA1 2NH T 01225 396553 F 01225 425294 www.bathnes.gov.uk steersmcgillaneves design.co.uk steersmcgillaneves