Work on a new stone mining heritage centre in Combe Down, Bath, and construction of some of the greenest new homes in they city are due to begin over the coming weeks.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has agreed a contract for its development partner Cox to begin working on the first stages of transforming Ralph Allen Yard (pictured below).
The heritage centre will showcase the area’s long history of stone production and provide residents and community groups with a public meeting space while the nine high-quality, environmentally-sustainable homes will be ‘zero carbon’ rated and built to Level 5 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.
This is a much higher standard than traditionally-built new housing and will put them among the most environmentally friendly new housing in the city.
Green features will include photovoltaic panels to generate electricity, a living green sedum roof and tripled-glazed windows to reduce carbon emissions.
The project, supported by investment from the HCA, is one of the final stages of a £150m land stabilisation project at Combe Down carried out between 1999 and 2009.
HCA executive director for the South and South West Colin Molton said: “This work is a significant step in what has been a hugely important project for us.
“When complete, Ralph Allen Yard will act as a legacy to reflect the mining heritage of the area and set a benchmark for new homes that will be delivered there.
“Local people told us that this was important when they were consulted on this project. It’s great news that work is now about to start.”
Cllr Cherry Beath, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s cabinet member for sustainable development, added: “It’s great news that the HCA is funding this exemplar project as part of the legacy of the Combe Down Stone Mines project and we welcome how sustainable this development will be.
“We look forward to working with the HCA to develop best practice from this project to enable increased sustainability on other schemes across the district as more homes are provided over the coming years.”
Richard Read, chairman of the Combe Down Stone Legacy Trust, which is set up to run the new centre, said: “We are very pleased that work will be starting soon and are greatly looking forward to beginning discussions with the developer on the internal design of the centre, and of course, to its opening next year.”
Part of a historic stone wall at Rock Hall Lane will be retained and enhanced as part of the development work. The project will continue until December next year.
