Issue details

Purpose:
The Council intervened at Bath Western Riverside with acquisition of former gasholder operational land and has subsequently delivered infrastructure and gas network rationalisation works to unlock the potential of this brownfield site. The site now requires ground remediation and infrastructure works to unlock housing delivery. Phase 2 forms a key part in the Council’s plans to meet local housing need, both via the provision of open market and affordable homes.

Decision E3575 Delegated the approval to the Director of Capital & Housing Delivery in consultation with the S151 Officer to: (1) Enter funding agreements with Homes England to fund infrastructure and land investment at Bath Riverside former gas lands and the Midland Road site. (2) Move provisional capital approved to full approval upon entry to funding agreements and commitment to proceed on infrastructure expenditure. (3) Enter back-to-back funding arrangement with St William (Berkeley Homes) to deliver site-wide remediation and infrastructure provision.

The Council entered an Amended and Restated HIF Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with Homes England relating to a grant agreement originally dated 16 December 2019 as amended and restated on 21 December 2022 and as further amended and restated on 14 February 2025. The council entered a back-to-back grant share agreement (GSA) with St William Homes LLP and a Remediation and Enabling Works Agreement (REWA) with St William Homes LLP to deliver site-wide remediation and infrastructure provision.

Approval is now being sought to proceed with a Deed of Amendment so that we can continue to fund the remediation and infrastructure site works. The Original Grant Funding Agreement the following term shall be amended by the insertion of new limbs and amending of milestones.