New jv for £160m Bath Quays North regen as L&G steps away

Bath & North East Somerset Council has signed an agreement with the University of Bath to develop a vision for the future of the Bath Quays North site. The move follows the expiry of the £160m development agreement between the council and L&G that was signed in 2019.  The partners will work together to regenerate a 5.4-acre brownfield riverfront site in the heart of the city, with possibilities to bring forward new space for research, innovation and enterprise activities. Existing outline planning permission for a 306,000 sq ft office-led, mixed-use scheme at Bath Quays North will be used as a basis for future joint development. Ian White, president and vice chancellor of the University of Bath, said: “This opportunity could create a new dimension to a range of university activities, boosting our 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, as well as start-up and spin-out businesses that begin life at the University of Bath, and attract further inward investment.” Paul Roper, cabinet member for economic and cultural sustainable development at the council, 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 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.” Bath Quays South comprises a 44,470 sq ft office building, No. 1 Bath Quays, alongside the refurbished Newark Works and a river bridge for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the scheme to its sister Bath Quays North development. Most recently, maritime-orientated design firm BTM signed up for 16,878 sq ft of workspace at No. 1 Bath Quays. It joined software provider Altus and financial services consultancy Fidelius, which were the first companies to take space in the building, moving in last year. Image © Bath & North East Somerset Council/L&G/Bell Hammer