Following the local elections a few months ago, many town and city councils have changed hands. This has caused a number of commercial property developments across the UK to be placed on hold indefinitely, or face delays.
One area where this has happened is Keynsham, which is located between Bristol and Bath and comes under the jurisdiction of Bath and North East Somerset Council. Following the election, the Liberal Democrats took control of the council, from the Conservative Party.
This has caused the delay of a £33 million commercial property scheme, as the newly elected Liberal Democrat council want to look into the development more carefully.
The Bath Chronicle, writes: ‘The scheme was a key project for the old Tory regime, with plans to create a new office complex to accommodate council staff and other public sector organisations, a replacement library, shops and public square.’
In a statement, the newly elected Bath & North East Somerset Council has declared, it ‘remains fully committed to the regeneration of Keynsham town centre as part of a wider approach to attracting private sector investment that will create new opportunities, new jobs, and greater prosperity for residents.’
It is believed, the new council want private investment capital to cover more of the cost, of the proposed scheme.With the council statement, declaring: ‘The timescale for the wider consultation is intended to allow the new cabinet to consider options about the best way to deliver a well thought out scheme that will support the regeneration of Keynsham, including the Riverside building, and provide the best possible value for money for the local taxpayer…The public consultation will cover all elements of the scheme such as building design and materials, new streets and spaces, traffic and parking, and how the scheme will contribute to the wider regeneration of Keynsham town centre.’
As a result, the new Liberal Democrat council has come in for criticism from Keynsham residents, who believe the area needs the regeneration and wish for the development to go ahead sooner rather than later.
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