PRESS RELEASE
BATH & WEST UNVEILS £120M REGENERATION PLANS
SITE AIMS TO BE FIRST ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENT SHOWGROUND IN UK
THE Royal Bath & West of England Society today unveiled visionary plans that would transform the Somerset showground into a major South West visitor destination and tourist attraction. It would become the first energy self-sufficient showground in the UK.
The Society estimates that more than 1,500 new jobs could ultimately be created on the site, providing a massive, ongoing boost to the local and regional economy. The total investment value of the redevelopment would be £120M.
Energy generation is key. The showground aims to become the first in the UK to be completely energy self-sufficient using renewable technologies, such as solar thermal, photovoltaic cells, or anaerobic digestion of biomass waste from local dairy industries. Excess electricity could be sold back to the National Grid, generating a profitable new income for the showground.
Dr Jane Guise, chief executive of the Royal Bath & West of England Society, said: ‘We want to transform the showground and create a vibrant, high-quality events venue of a national standard. We believe our plans will achieve this and ensure long-term financial stability, raising the investment needed to fund the redevelopment and create a solid and growing revenue stream to safeguard the future.
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‘The Society has enjoyed tremendous support from all the local authorities to bring forward the regeneration of the Showground. There is a huge amount of work to be done and we will of course continue to work very closely with the county and district councils on this. Our aim, after detailed consultation with all parties, is to submit a planning application later this year.
‘These plans will take 12 to 15 years to complete in full, but we hope to make significant progress with the major tourist and business elements before the end of 2012.'