£50m supermarket scheme aims to regenerate ex-Bath Press site
A scheme aimed at bringing a Tesco supermarket to Bath has been formally lodged with the council.
Plans to regenerate the former Bath Press site off Lower Bristol Road were submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council on Monday.
The final proposal by developers St James's Investments (SJI) and Tesco includes a series of changes arising from public feedback.
Two exhibitions about the scheme and a series of public workshops have been held by developers since 2008, and SJI estimates that between 500 and 600 people have commented.
Following that feedback, plans for the roofscape have been altered to help the scheme blend more effectively with surrounding buildings.
In particular, areas of 'saw tooth' roof have been added which mirror the traditional zig-zag roofing used on parts of the existing industrial building.
Red brick, rather than stonework, will be used on some of the flanking walls of the site, and brick has been specified for the ten houses within the mixed-use scheme, rather than timber cladding as originally proposed.
Changes have also been made following feedback about traffic management. Four pedestrian crossings are proposed around the Lower Bristol Road and Brook Road junction, while signalling and road layout has been adapted in an effort to minimise congestion.
More plants and seating have been added to the scheme's public spaces.
Plans to preserve the site's distinctive facade and chimney stack are retained in the final submission. A steel frame would support the wall.
The plans for the five-acre plot, which SJI bought in May 2008, include a blend of offices, retail, housing, community space and creative work units. There will be parking for 425 cars underground.
The scheme, which would cost between £45 million and £50 million, could create more than 600 jobs.
Quentin Webster, of SJI, said: "We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultations over the last two years.
"As a result, we are confident that the final plans reflect as far as possible the views of the public and present a vibrant and attractive scheme where people can enjoy working, living and shopping.
"We have listened and done a wide range of consultation. I believe we have a lot of popular support. We have answered all the questions asked of us.
"I believe we are bringing something that's good for Bath in general and Twerton in particular.
"The response has been positive. I think people are excited about proposals to see the regeneration of the site.
"The architectural designs have gone down well. We want to hark back to the site's industrial heritage.
"The inclusion of creative workspace is important. Bath is a very creative city and there is a desperate shortage of space for that sort of work."
A registration number for the application is set to be made public via www.bathnes.gov.uk and www.bath presssite.co.uk over the next few days.
Members of the public can then give their comments on the final plans before they are considered by councillors.
22 Comments
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by Craig, Bath, Kingsway
Wednesday, August 18 2010, 1:34AM
“I have to say I'm not opposed to this - I value Moorland Road as a shopping area and do not see that I would be visiting Tesco for the same things I get there - in all honesty, many of the shops that remain on Moorland Road now, taking out the cafés and fruit/veg shops are fairly specialised.
Sainsbury's has had an unhealthy hold over Bath for too long - Morrison's is too far out (and dare I say it, not of the elite three supermarkets) to have impacted upon them enough. Maybe having a Tesco just down the road will finally drive down their prices so that they are in line with those found just 10-12 miles away.”
by Rob, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 5:14PM
“Laurence, I hope I haven't offended and didn't mean to suggest you might be a rotten apple!
Take heart from Dave, Weston. He speaks the truth!”
by Laurence of Widcombe, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 4:57PM
“Maybe apple was a wrong choice. Although Braeburns and Golden Delicious are my favourites. Don't like the Pink Ladies though.
What I meant (perhaps) is what is the difference in buying your Kellog's in a Tesco or at a local store. The box you buy still has to be transported.
Now I'm worried for my future after reading your comments”
by Dave, Weston
Friday, August 13 2010, 4:51PM
“Presumably Rob, preferring a better tasting apple is somehow not self interest? The reality is that we all serve what might be called self interests - its just that some people focus very narrowly on saving money on food, others have a wider perspective on self interest!”
by Rob, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 4:41PM
“Laurence - it's not a question of worrying but of caring.
If you and others in pursuit of self interests don't care if all apples end up tasting the same (revealing a lack of knowledge about apples) then you're likely to experience a hopeless, careless and ultimately unfulfilling existence. I can assure you not all apples are the same. Tesco's development proposal is a bad one.”
by Laurence of Widcombe, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 4:37PM
“David perhaps Tesco could sell clone babies to save all that messy stuff making them.
Thanks for letting me know Tesco are also responsible for the World population.”
by David, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 4:15PM
“"Where are all the extra people going to come from?"
Laurence of Widcombe, Bath
Well, Laurence, when a man loves a woman very, very much, they kiss and cuddle very tightly and then.....
Or do you think Tesco builds these things because they envisage a future where one of their big, brightly-lit glass cubes will stand empty on every high street for 24 hours a day?”
by charlotte, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 3:58PM
“can anyone answer my question "has anyone got any idea as to when work is going to re-commence on the Tesco's on the Upper side of the river? " As soon as the more independant traders change their opening hours to suit those of us that have to work full time (plus the rest to make ends meet!) then I will be the first person to give them my custom but as they don't operate in this fashion currently, & I'd like to add seem to close by lunchtime on Saturdays, then I'm afraid to say I'll signing up for a ClubCard instead! As for Moorland Road becoming like Westgate St, I think it'll survive. I don't think Tesco have branched into Charity Shops yet?!!”
by Laurence of Widcombe, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 3:44PM
“Rob and others - please don't worry so. Where are all the extra people going to come from?
Does it really matter which shop people but their food from?
And what's all that about freedom of choice? An apple is an apple.”
by Rob, Bath
Friday, August 13 2010, 2:32PM
“anon - "worry about more important things in life, its only a shop" shows you haven't understood anything of what's has been said.
The carbon footprints of internationally sourced perishable goods delivery logistics / food miles are well documented contributors to climate change.
A development adding to already seriously congested streets, regardless of any claims of mitigating the effects, will stifle traffic movement and other activities throughout the rest of the city.
Encouraging commercial agriculture on the scale required to meet the corporate demands is anathema to a truly sustainable supply chain and, in this country at least, whether 600 or 6,000, such developments will create fewer jobs than they destroy.
Continue to let giant corporations make the choices of where you can buy your goods from and before too long they will be providing all the alternatives on offer and you will have no freedom of choice at all.
Are these enough "more important things in life" or shall I carry on with the list?... Moaning it ain't...”