Swindon & Wiltshire News
Heritage developer acquires Bath Press site for £14 million
Heritage developer City & Country has bought the 5.3-acre Bath Press site for £13.8 million.
The developer says the historic façade of the site on the Lower Bristol Road will be maintained as it creates a mix of new-build apartments, houses and offices.
Dating back to the 1890s, the original Bath Press was home to the Pitman Press printing works, led by Sir Isaac Pitman, who developed one of the world’s most widely used methods of shorthand.
The site became vacant in 2007 and was mainly demolished between September 2017 and November 2018 to allow for redevelopment.
Simon Marner, City & Country’s land & property director, said: “This is a significant acquisition for the business, with the site due to deliver more than 250 units in addition to the commercial space.
“Bath is a thriving city, known for its status as a World Heritage Site and a centre of international cultural significance and is an excellent fit for our brand.
“We have ambitious plans for the next five years as a business, as we continue expanding our new build arm and restoring heritage buildings to provide beautiful, modern high-specification homes.
“As with all our new build homes, we pride ourselves in the quality of our design and the creation of community. Placemaking is at the heart of everything we do, and this site will be no different.”
The new land purchase will expand City & Country’s projects across the Southwest region, with their Bristol developments at Factory No. 1 and The General located just under 12 miles from the Bath Press site, the former prison sites at Dorchester and Gloucester, awaiting planning amendment approval, and Burderop Park near Swindon under development.
With planning permission already granted, the developers can start work immediately.
Latest: First new homes at historic Bath Press site come to the market
