Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader of Bath & North East Somerset CouncilThis week we announced a new partnership with the University of Bath to develop a vision for the future of Bath Quays North – a key site in the city. We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to determine the development of the riverfront – a 2.2 hectare city-centre brownfield site in the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Zone. Signing the Memorandum of Understanding allows the council and the university the opportunity discuss exciting possibilities for the site which could include a new space for research, innovation and enterprise activities. The news follows the announcement of significant lettings at our Bath Quays South development No. 1 Bath Quays which is now almost fully let - securing hundreds of jobs in the city, generating real economic benefit and renewal. With development comes the responsibility for improving our biodiversity which is why last year, ahead of it becoming a national requirement, the council adopted a Biodiversity Net Gain policy. It requires developers to replace any biodiversity lost during building, plus an additional 10 per cent, by creating new habitats such as grassland, woodland, hedgerows or tree lines and manage the habitat for at least 30 years. BNG can be delivered on-site as part of the development, off-site by creating new habitats and paying someone else to manage it or enhancing existing landscapes by purchasing biodiversity units. So, I am really pleased to highlight the work of a group of volunteers who are transforming former grazing land in Charlcombe Valley, which the council owns, into a new community-run wildlife site, including a species-rich meadow, following the introduction of our BNG planning policy. It is wonderful to see the friends group helping to restore our natural environment and making a difference to their community. Finally good luck to all 22 athletes who train, study or studied at the University of Bath and who are ready to represent their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage - the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. You can find out about the 22 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, who are competing, on this webpage https://www.teambath.com/sport/olympic-paralympic/paris-2024-olympics-paralympics/selected-athletes. And if you want find out when they are competing then follow this link here: https://www.teambath.com/sport/olympic-paralympic/paris-2024-olympics-paralympics/schedule/ Have a great weekend. | 
