There’s been a favourable reaction so far to a city centre masterplan B&NES is calling the ‘Milsom Street Quarter’.
Over the next twenty years – if implemented – it will involve finding a new home for the Fashion Museum, building a lot of new housing and space for creative industries, ridding Milsom Street – and part of Broad Street – of all traffic and creating a new square in front of St Michael’s Church.
We now enter a three-month consultation period when businesses and ratepayers in general, can comment on the idea.
Today l did a long and frank interview with the Deputy Leader of B&NES about this AND other matters. Cllr Richard Samuel is the cabinet member responsible for resources so holds the council’s purse strings.
We talked about this proposal and other things – including an ultimatum B&NES has given the Department of Transport regarding Cleveland Bridge.
Bath is an old city – says Cllr Samuel and he’s concerned that what happened regarding this listed bridge – could be repeated elsewhere.
I even asked about the fact that one side of the colonnade in Bath Street had been painted – creating a bit of a strange effect in the heart of our heritage city.
It’s a good interview and well worth listening to the end.
Meanwhile, Bath MP Wera Hobhouse has also warmly welcomed the plans to revitalise the north of Bath city centre.
She said:
“I am delighted to see my Liberal Democrat colleagues’ bold vision to invest in our city’s future and unlock Bath’s huge potential as a fantastic place to live, work and visit.
“This exciting 20-year project has been developed in close cooperation with local businesses and other key organisations. It will transform vital areas in the city and add up to 180 new residential properties. It would make use of vacant spaces above shops. The plans would make the Milsom Quarter greener and more pedestrian-friendly.”
“I congratulate Councillor Richard Samuel, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Economic Development and Resources, on his leadership of this forward-looking plan which would be a turning point in our city’s development. It demonstrates the Liberal Democrats’ commitment to ensuring the brightest possible future for Bath.”
You can watch a short video explaining the masterplan here.
The Council is inviting all Bath & North East Somerset residents to have their say in the consultation which is open until July 15. You can take part in the online survey, join a live drop-in session or attend an online briefing.
