Issue - meetings

To consider a report regarding the Milsom Quarter Masterplan which outlines the funding arrangements and next steps.

Cllr Mark Roper introduced the report, moved the officer recommendation and made the following statement:

“I am delighted to be tabling this report to Cabinet today. The Milsom St Quarter is an ambitious and exciting concept in holistic regeneration where the Council will work in partnership with the regional authority and the private sector to bring new employment, living and retail space to the heart of Bath in a considered and sustainable way. It shows once again that this administration has a bold vision for the future of our district – and that we aim to deliver on that vision.

Can I congratulate the officers involved from the Economic Development team for their hard work to get us here – and to all those who responded to the public consultation. There were many extremely valuable inputs from residents, and I look forward to that continuing once we start to bring more definitive plans to the table. The Consultation and Engagement Report is an appendix to the main report.

Acceptance of the funding will enable us to build the team we need to start to delivery of the plan. The six primary interventions are outlined in 3.4 of the report. There are three substantial development projects:

·  Broad Street Yards will repurpose the car park to create workspace for SMES and start-ups, targeted at the fashion and design sector – and we know we are desperately short of small business units in B&NES

·  Walcot Gateway – the redevelopment of the Cattle Market car park and the Cornmarket – a building that has sat neglected and empty for far too long – to provide new homes and an enhanced public realm.

·  Finally, the Fashion Museum, which will move into the Old Post Office building, and into some of the buildings along the north side of New Bond Street – a great addition to our cultural offer, and a keystone part of the Milsom Street Quarter development. The potential here for public-private partnership is substantial and work has already started on this.

There will be improvements to the public realm - reducing the dominance of vehicles and prioritising walking and wheeling - whilst making the area fully accessible to people of all mobility levels.

We will repurpose upper floors of Council owned buildings to provide more residential use. More residents living and working in the city centre creating a greater vibrancy and sustainability to our urban environment.

We will deliver high quality architecture into our UNESCO World Heritage City – this is an opportunity to make our mark with buildings and public areas that both reflect our heritage and deliver for our current and future needs. This does not have to mean pastiche building – and I look forward to the proposed solutions that the architects and designers present to us. 

It goes without saying that we will be focussed on delivering all of the above in a sustainable way – we intend to reduce the carbon footprint of the area both by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43