South Gloucestershire Council is seeking proposals for the best use of the former Beko factory on Station Road in Yate, as the site is being offered for sale.
The 5.7 hectare (14.1 acre) site is owned by the council, and its prime location close to Yate railway station and the town centre is expected to make it an attractive opportunity for developers to bring forward plans that will improve the area, providing homes and jobs for local people.
The council will be able to influence the future redevelopment of the site, both as landowner, in deciding who to sell it to, and as the Local Planning Authority, to ensure any development is in accordance with planning policies and priorities.
It has also spelled out key requirements for any options presented by bidders for the land, including the preservation of the historic former first aid post bunker.
Any proposals from developers will need to be approved through the planning process, where local residents will be able to view and comment on plans. Developers are also encouraged to engage with the community before making any formal planning applications to take local people’s input on board before submitting proposals.
The council has set out its aspirations for how regenerating the site could improve the town. It has set out that ideal development should:
- Be comprehensive and cover the whole site
- Make a significant contribution to the supply of new housing, and that 35 per cent of the homes should be affordable
- Provide opportunities for people living locally to work locally
- To recognise the site’s history, by retaining the World War 2 era bunker that was used as a first aid post during the war.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, Cllr Adam Monk, said: “The closure of the factory on Station Road was the end of an era, but we have an opportunity to help shape a new era with this significant brownfield site in the heart of the town.
“We have set out clear aspirations for what good regeneration looks like, which meets local people’s needs and preserves its unique history. We’ve talked and listened to the community, and we will do our best to deliver for them and bring the site back into use.
“As the owner of the site, the council is currently liable for safety and security costs. Selling the land, subject to planning permission and having set out clear aspirations for how it could be best used, will help to deliver the new homes that people need, close to public transport and the town centre, and bring the site back into use, regenerating this part of Yate for generations to come.”
