Pictured above: Lucy Wilson, Associate for Drivers
Jonas Birmingham
The Birmingham office of Drivers Jonas has reached a major
milestone in its work on the £360m SouthGate development in
Bath.
The first phase of retail units have been opened to the public
at the mixed use development which includes 417,000 sq ft of retail
space anchored by Debenhams, 99 apartments, an 860 space basement
car park, a £13m new iconic bus station and £10m
investment in Bath Spa railway station.
A joint venture between Multi Developments Ltd and Aviva
Investors, the complex development lies in the World Heritage Site
of the City of Bath. Previously occupied by a dated 1960's shopping
complex, transforming the site into a retail led development that
integrates into the city and respects its Georgian architecture has
required Drivers Jonas expertise from pre-planning through to the
completion of its construction.
The planning and development team from Drivers Jonas' Birmingham
office have worked heavily on the project for the past three years
advising on a wide range of planning and development issues
including the discharge of conditions and compliance with complex
legal obligations. Drivers Jonas was also involved in
ensuring the delivery and approval of CPO and Stopping Up Orders
for 11 acres of land in Bath City Centre in order to avoid the need
for a Planning Public Inquiry.
Lucy Wilson, Associate for Drivers Jonas Birmingham
comments: "It is a fantastic achievement for the Birmingham
office to now have the first phase of retail units open at
SouthGate. This has been an extremely complex and challenging
project for Drivers Jonas and one which has required the expertise
of numerous Drivers Jonas teams across the UK to provide advice on
planning and development issues ranging from the site's
conservation status and specialist heritage to environmental impact
assessments and detailed economic analysis.
"Phase one of the development opened alongside the new basement
car park which was completed six months ahead of schedule,
demonstrating the level of commitment which we have given to this
project. SouthGate is a fantastic looking scheme which
reflects its heritage through design with classic Georgian-style
open streets and public spaces. We are delighted that this
has been recognised by Bath and North East Somerset Council through
its praise of the development. For Drivers Jonas this not
only demonstrates the level of expertise which we have in the
Birmingham office but also the ease with which we can transfer our
skills and sector knowledge outside of our regional territory."
Phase two of SouthGate is due to open at the end of May with the
final phase and anchoring Debenhams store opening next autumn.
Having successfully delivered the new bus station last June,
the Drivers Jonas Birmingham team is currently focussed on
progressing the improvement works to the Grade II* listed Bath Spa
railway station.