WORK on a scheme to bring hundreds more homes to Bath and develop a modern recycling centre has taken a step forward following the appointment of a contractor to work on the new centre in Locksbrook Road.

Bath & North East Somerset Council has appointed EW Beard to build the new recycling centre in Locksbrook Road that, when it opens in late 2026, will replace the Midland Road site.

More than 170 homes are planned for the Midland Road site where initial demolition work is anticipated to start in early December.

Work at Locksbrook will be in two phases - the refurbishment of the former Transport Depot will be followed by construction work next spring

The council’s housing company, Aequus Construction Limited (ACL), will develop the Midland Road site and has planning permission for a mix of one, two and three bed homes for social rent, shared ownership and market sale as part of the Bath Western Riverside housing scheme.

Councillor Mark Elliott, cabinet member for resources, said: “This is a major step in our ambitious plans to bring more homes to Bath as well meeting our commitment to build a new recycling centre for the city. It’s a multi-stage construction project and the current Midland Road centre will remain open until the new site is up and running.”

In addition to the new recycling centre, the council is proposing a residents’ parking zone for the Locksbrook Road area and is currently consulting residents. Details can be found on the council website.

As part of the work on Midland Road, a demolition contractor will start work on the vacant units that housed the waste team and the fleet maintenance team before Keynsham Recycling Hub opened.

The council’s Climate Emergency and Sustainability PDS Panel was given an update on the project at a meeting on November 27.