Decision details

Bath Western Riverside Phase II- Gas Rationalisation Agreement Land Transactions

Decision Maker: Director of Regeneration & Housing

Decision status: Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Bath Western Riverside (BWR) Phase 2 is situated on the former gas works site off Windsor Bridge Road. The BWR Phase 2 site will deliver new homes and forms a central component in the Authority’s 5-year housing supply. Through the provision of Homes England Housing Infrastructure funding, the Council acquired a 1/3 land interest in the site, approximately 4 acres, and has proceeded to undertake infrastructure enabling works to unlock the site for redevelopment.

On the 29th April 2020, the Council proceeded to enter into a Gas Rationalisation Agreement (GRA) with Wales and West Utilities to relocate all live gas infrastructure to the west boundary of the site to enable the Phase 2 residential development. Practical completion of the GRA works is scheduled for September 2023 which will trigger a sequence of property related legal transactions.

This ODD seeks approval to proceed with the two, property related transactions, that are required under the GRA immediately following PC:

Decision 1: Approval is requested to proceed to purchase necessary St William land for the purpose of a Gas Governor Compound for the sum of £64,388.00 (sixty four thousand, three hundred and eighty eight pounds).
Decision 2: Approval is requested to proceed to grant a 125 year lease of the above land for the purposes of a Gas Governor Compound to Wales & West Utilities for the consideration of £10.00.

Decision:

In accordance with the delegated approval set out in the Cabinet Decision E3168, the Director of Regeneration & Housing in consultation with the S151 Officer, are requested to authorise officers to proceed with the above land transactions.

Alternative options considered:

1. Do not proceed with the land transactions.

The Council is legally obliged to proceed with above land purchase and leasing under the Gas Rationalisation Agreement. The Wales & West Utilities operational assets are now constructed on the land concerned and must transfer to the utilities provider in accordance with GRA.

Publication date: 28/11/2023

Date of decision: 27/11/2023