A major £50 million regeneration project has commenced initial enabling and pre-construction survey works to transform the long-vacant Hartwells Garage site in Newbridge, Bath into a new mixed-use neighbourhood to deliver high-quality homes, purpose-built student bedrooms, new commercial space, and a significant programme of public realm and walking and cycling improvements.
The 8.4 acres (3.4 hectares) development, led by Hartwell Plc, the automotive and property development company, will revitalise the former car showroom, brownfield site on Newbridge Road which closed in 2019.
Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris architects, the development will create much-needed new homes and student accommodation in Bath and deliver substantial community benefits which will include £1.68 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions for local services.
As a new sustainable place for west Bath, the project will include: 104 homes to provide studio, 1, 2 and 3-bed high-quality apartments for young professionals and post-graduates, 186-bed student accommodation to help release HMOs, new A1/A3 commercial units to support local activity and amenities, extensive public realm with new trees, climate-resilient planting and green spaces, sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS) to enhance water management and biodiversity and a new walking and cycling route, to create a safe, sustainable link to the iconic Bristol-Bath cycle path.
The development has been designed to complement Bath’s character, prioritise sustainability, and improve local connections to support Bath’s long-term housing and environmental goals.
The works will create construction jobs and opportunities for apprenticeships and work placements for people considering a career in construction delivered through its ‘Targeted Recruitment and Training Action Plan’.
Joanne Churchill, group property manager, Hartwell said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to regenerate a key brownfield site and deliver high-quality homes, student accommodation, green public spaces, and sustainable infrastructure that directly benefit the Newbridge community and wider city. The project represents a major investment in Bath’s future, and we continue to work collaboratively with Bath and North Somerset Council to deliver this project for the city. Our initial enabling works will see the old and damaged canopy removed and pre-construction survey works. Further information on future construction works will be communicated as the project progresses.”
Acting on behalf of Hartwell are Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Mcfarlane and Associates, Walsingham Planning, Ridge, Stantec, IMA Transport Planning, and Aspect Ecology.