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After remaining derelict for more than 25 years, the 44 acre Bath Western Riverside site is now a hive of activity with construction on the first new homes under way.
Having secured outline planning approval for more 2,000 homes and detailed planning for Phase 1 in late 2010, developer Crest Nicholson is now advancing work on this £400m regeneration scheme.
The project is being delivered in partnership with the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Bath & North East Somerset Council, who together have committed a £5.7m investment towards the infrastructure work in the development area. A further £6m HCA investment has been awarded to Somer Community Housing Trust for the delivery of the first affordable homes on site.
With new road infrastructure now well underway, Crest Nicholson has also made a significant start on house building work, meaning that the first residents of this new community are expected to move in before Christmas.
With foundations for the first building already laid and timber frames now being erected, at least a sixth of the 299 homes in Phase 1 are due to be completed by the end of the year. These will be a mixture of terrace/family houses and one, and two bedroom apartments, including 100 affordable homes provided by social landlord Somer Community Housing Trust.
Debbie Aplin, Managing Director at Crest Nicholson Regeneration, said: "Creating sustainable housing is a major priority for Crest Nicholson and we are combining best practice building techniques with local materials, such as Bath stone, to ensure that Bath Western Riverside, which is one of the most significant regeneration projects in the South West this century, is an exemplar development in every way.
"We continue to work in close partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council in creating this new and exciting residential quarter to provide new homes for all sectors of the community. The support from the Council has been vital in being able to bring this development forward."
The development will be using Bath stone sourced locally from Stoke Hill Mine and around 1,500 tonnes has already been ordered for the buildings currently underway.
(CD/KMcA)
