Ambitious redevelopment plans for Twerton High Street and Bath City FC’s home ground are to go on show to the public.
Following more than a year of community and stakeholder engagement, the latest designs for the scheme, which will transform the shopping area of Twerton into a new thriving focal point for the community, are to go on display.
If approved by Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), the multi-million pound investment will include new shops, a refurbished High Street and improved public space.
The scheme will also bring new and improved facilities to the area, including a community hub, gym, an all-weather 3G astroturf pitch and a new grandstand for Bath City FC.
Purpose-built student accommodation, affordable housing for local people and co-living apartments for keyworkers and young professionals are also part of the proposals.
The purpose-built student housing in the scheme makes it financially viable.
The football club says it is committed to ensuring the development project will help encourage healthier and active lifestyles, create more opportunities for sport participation and increased social inclusion across different ages and groups in the Twerton community.
The designs go on shown on the following dates:
- Wednesday February 20, 2pm-8pm, 115a High Street, Twerton, BA2 1DB.
- Saturday February 23, midday-3pm in Charlie’s Bar at Twerton Park (before the home game against Slough Town).
Bath City FC teamed up with London-based private investment company Greenacre Capital in 2017 on a joint scheme to redevelop Twerton High Street, land to the rear of the High Street and part of Twerton Park.
The redevelopment will help secure the club’s financial future and keep it at Twerton, as well as delivering benefits for the surrounding community.
Greenacre has acquired the parade of shops on Twerton High Street, including McColls and the Co-op, and also a strip of land between this parade and the football club’s car park.
Club chair Nick Blofeld said: “This redevelopment project is not just about Bath City Football Club, as it should have a very positive impact on Twerton.
“The proposals bring a huge investment into Twerton, an area of the city at times overlooked. This multi-million pound scheme will help rejuvenate the High Street, create new employment opportunities, provide affordable housing for local people, improve public areas and deliver better community facilities.”
He said the new sports facilities would give the football club, its staff and players, the modern resources it needed, but they would also be available to the local community.
“This redevelopment will also secure the financial future of the club. Partnering with Greenacre Capital means the club’s debts can be cleared and we will be able to generate better revenue streams through the improved facilities,” he added.
“Without this scheme the future of Bath City in Twerton is extremely uncertain.
“This scheme is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Bath City FC and we believe the benefits will be felt much wider than just at the club.”
All of the exhibition information will also be available to view at www.bathcityfc.com/twerton-park-redevelopment/
Bath City FC and Greenacre Capital will submit a planning application to B&NES shortly.
