Regeneration of brownfield riverside
Bath Western Riverside was one of the largest brownfield regeneration projects in the South West comprising over 70 acres of former industrial land including the Stothert & Pitt Crane factory, the Midland Gas Works and the Midland Railway terminating at Green Park Station.
Rhodri led this project on behalf of B&NES Council in collaboration with all project partners. He also established an advisory panel of national regeneration and design experts who offered guidance and acted as ‘critical friends’ for the entire development.
This resulted in an approved masterplan and outline planning consent for 2200 new homes, a mix of commercial and leisure facilities, a new public realm of connected parks and public spaces, the restoration of the Grade II* Victoria Suspension Bridge and the opening up of the River Avon for public and leisure uses.
The project required extensive, ongoing public participation with citizens, representative Bath organisations and amenity groups and, due to the city’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the extensive involvement of leading heritage bodies including Historic England, UNESCO and ICOMOS UK. He then continued to oversee the design and development of the site for the next 5 years.
Clients: B&NES Council and Crest Nicholson
Partners: SW Regional Development Agency / West of England LEP and Homes England
Consultant Team: Master-planners FCB Studios; Architects Glen Howells, Alison Brooks, Studio Egret West; Landscape and public realm design Grant Associates; Engineers Buro Happold
Advisory Panel: Les Sparks, Honor Chapman, Sir Richard MacCormac, Alan Baxter, Professor Chris Baines, Dickon Robinson