Decision details
Milsom Quarter masterplan
Decision Maker: Chief Executive, West of England Combined Authority
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
At the WECA Committee in December 2020, an
allocation of £2m from the Investment Fund was made to
strategic masterplanning. The Committee delegated the approval of
Feasibility and Development Funding Applications for specific
proposals to the WECA Chief Executive in consultation with the
Chief Executives of the constituent Councils.
A Feasibility and Development Funding Application has been
submitted by B&NES Council seeking to utilise £434k of
the masterplanning allocation. This would see the development of a
masterplan for an area including Milsom Street, Broad Street, Quiet
Street, New Bond Street and George Street. Within this area there
are several key development sites including Cattlemarket and Broad
Street car park, together with several key buildings of importance
such as King Edwards School, Jolly’s department store, the
Old Post Office and YMCA.
The Milsom Street area of Bath is experiencing an accelerating
decline in retail demand associated with the shift to on-line
shopping and changing consumer habits, which has been heightened as
a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. In addition, a significant
proportion of the Council’s commercial estate is focused
around Milsom Street and the northern part of the city centre, and
structural changes being experienced are threatening the stability,
income potential and value of the Council’s assets
The funding proposed will support the engagement of a property-led
multi-disciplinary team to develop a masterplan, expected by July
2021.
The Chief Executives of the WECA constituent councils were
consulted on this proposal and were in agreement with the
decision.
Decision:
Approval of the Feasibility and Development
Funding Application for the Milsom Quarter Masterplan and an award
of £434k.
Alternative options considered:
Not applicable in relation to this specific
decision, i.e. this was the option considered.
Publication date: 09/03/2021
Date of decision: 04/03/2021
Accompanying Documents: