SouthGate, Bath

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 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.”

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.

“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”

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.