Bath Press Redevelopment, Architect, Design, Picture, English Project, News, Proposal, make

Bath Press Redevelopment

Bath Press Designs design by make architects, England, UK

12 Aug 2010

Bath Press Proposals

Bath Press Redevelopment News

Design: make architects

Detailed plans for the redevelopment of a former printworks in Bath have been submitted by developers St James’s Investments (SJI) and Tesco this week, following significant feedback from local residents helping to shape the final scheme.

More than 90% of people gave their support to the regeneration of the former Bath Press site on Lower Bristol Road during a final public consultation held in June. A further 76% welcomed a mix of uses including offices, retail, housing, community space and creative work units. The majority of people providing written feedback said a new Tesco store on site would help them to do more of their shopping locally to Bath.

Bath Press redevelopment – updated design:

image from Client

Quentin Webster of St James’s Investments says: “Sainsbury’s at Green Park has long dominated the weekly food shopping market on this side of Bath and there is a strong desire from local people for greater choice and competition. Given current over-trading levels at Green Park – and the regular use by residents of supermarkets in other areas such as Bristol – our research indicates there is capacity for further supermarket provision without adversely affecting the smaller, independent traders.”

Key elements of the scheme have been modified in response to public feedback over the last two years, including traffic management, building design and landscaping options. Significant changes include the retention of the original Bath Press façade along one side of the scheme, a move supported by 86% of exhibition attendees in June. The roofscape has also changed dramatically, incorporating new areas of curved and ‘saw tooth’ roofing helping the scheme to blend more effectively with surrounding buildings.

The final plans also respond to a significant demand in the city for creative workshops, with 3,000 square metres set aside for light industrial units.

“Local people have really engaged in our public consultation events over the last two years” adds Quentin. “As a result, we are confident that the final plans reflect as far as possible the views of the public and present a vibrant and attractive scheme where people can enjoy working, living and shopping.”

Further updates on the progression of the planning application will be made available via www.bathpresssite.co.uk and members of the public can also call 0845 602 5026 for further information.

Previously:

17 Jun 2010

Bath Press Building Redevelopment

LOCAL VIEWS SHAPE £50M REDEVELOPMENT OF BATH PRESS

In response to public feedback, the former Bath Press on Lower Bristol Road will retain its landmark façade and chimney stack if £50m redevelopment plans are approved this year.

St James’s Investments (SJI) have incorporated the views of local people in their innovative proposals for a mixed use redevelopment comprising offices, housing, community space, retail and creative work units.

Bath Press redevelopment – design:

images from Client

Quentin Webster of SJI said: “We are very conscious that this is an important site for the city and the regeneration will involve sensitive architectural considerations. We are therefore working with MAKE architects who have proven expertise in this area and have consulted extensively with local residents and stakeholders throughout the development of our plans.”

SJI has a vision to reinvigorate the brownfield site, bringing it back into productive economic use and creating important employment opportunities whilst retaining key architectural features to reflect the site’s heritage and location.

Justin Nicholls, Partner, Make Architects said: “The character and uses of this redevelopment have been heavily influenced by the Bath Press which once occupied the site, including the invention of Shorthand by Pitman. Such industrial heritage creates an exciting additional layer to the rich history of Bath and the local community. To reflect this we have retained the facade of the Press to remind us of Pitman’s great achievements and to provide a screen from the busy Lower Bristol Road.

Our approach was very much developed from the input we have had from the local community during earlier consultation events. Behind the facade we have placed a series of buildings, whose materials, rhythm and form are a contemporary reflection on this facade. Additional detail developed from the printing heritage has been added to the existing and proposed facades which we hope to develop with local artists. We very much look forward to receiving comments and continued input from the community which will then enable us to finalise our designs.”

Bath Press Redevelopment – Further Information

SJI is exhibiting its plans at the former Bath Press site in early June with a view to submitting proposals for detailed planning permission later this summer. Further information and feedback facilities are available via www.bathpresssite.co.uk or

0845 602 5026 and the deadline for responses is 2 July, 2010.

Since starting work on proposals in 2008, St James’s Investments have held a public exhibition and a series of public workshops to gain input into their plans. Feedback was received from more than 240 local people.

The award-winning project architects, MAKE, have extensive experience of this type of development and their designs acknowledge Bath’s architectural heritage.

The redevelopment would create significant employment opportunities – over 650 jobs in total. It is anticipated that the retail element would create approximately 350 full time equivalent jobs; the creative, light industrial, workshops could generate around 94 new jobs and the office units a further 210.

Bath Press Redevelopment images / information received 170610

Pulteney Bridge & Weir, Bath

image : Nathan Koren