WILLSBRIDGE MILL
INVITATION FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (EoI)

For over thirty years Willsbridge Mill, together with the adjoining barn and surrounding land has been leased from South Gloucestershire Council by Avon Wildlife Trust (AWT). The lease comes to an end on 5th October 2014 and AWT has advised the Council that it would like to relinquish the buildings and concentrate on its core activity of maintaining the surrounding valley as a wildlife habitat. AWT will therefore continue to maintain a presence on site and proposes to enter into a new lease with the Council for the land outlined blue on the attached plan.

The mill, barn and land edged red on the above plan will therefore become available to let. As the buildings have been under utilised for some years this is an exciting opportunity look at new community uses with a view to maximising their potential and use for the benefit of the community. Proposed uses will need to be innovative and sustainable and therefore critical that they have the ability generate long term regular income from users of the premises and/or external funding sources. The land and buildings are restricted to “community uses” and it is anticipated that any profits achieved are used for the enhancement of the premises.
South Gloucestershire Council is therefore seeking expressions of interest from community groups, individuals, organisations or businesses to lease Willsbridge Mill, barn and adjoining land (outlined red) for community uses on a full repairing and insuring basis. Detailed lease terms are to be negotiated and will depend upon the proposed occupier, use and business requirements.
Please see the below application form for Expressions of Interest. The requirements are broadly as follows:

  1. Applicant details, background and experience.
  2. Proposals for the site and buildings.
  3. Outline of how this will be achieved including proposed sources of finance.

EoI forms should be submitted no later than 14th March 2014.
All applications will be assessed and, if considered suitable, applicants may be asked to submit a full Business Plan setting out in detail; timescales, financial projections and full business arrangements for occupying and running the premises as a community facility. Business Plans will be required to be submitted by 31st May 2014. These will be formally assessed and it is anticipated that the successful applicant will be notified by 20th June 2014 with a view to commencing occupation on 6th October 2014.
PLEASE NOTE:South Gloucestershire Council will consider all applications with a view to deciding which proposals should be developed further. It does not bind itself to accept any or all of the applications submitted.

KEY PROJECT CONTACTS:
If you have any questions or would like to view the premises prior to submission of your application, please contact:
  • Chris Cox, Valuation Team Leader, Property Services: or 01454 865087
Once you have completed an EoI please send to:
  • Chris Cowcher, Community Engagement Officer: 01454 5057

PROJECT NAME / LEASE AND MANAGEMENT OF WILLSBRIDGE MILL AND PREMISES
ORGANISATION
Name: / Position in Organisation:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
Type of organisation:
(double click in the box that applies to you, and then select ‘Checked’. Where appropriate please also include the Registration number.)
Registered charity / Company limited by guarantee / Company limited by shares
Community interest company / Unincorporated club or association / Public sector
Other (please specify) / Registration number
If you are a business, could you confirm that you employ less than 10 staff and have a turnover of less than £2 million. Businesses must be below this threshold to be eligible. / Yes / No
Background about your organisation.
Details of experience managing community projects of this nature
Details of proposed use for the buildings and land
Anticipated costings for proposals
Summary of how the proposed project will be funded (please use the following section to provide as detailed a breakdown as is currently possible):
Please provide details of anticipated funding: / To be applied for / Anticipatedapproval date
Private funds (e.g. savings, bank loan) / £
Other public funds (e.g. Local Authority grant, Lottery) / £
Charitable / Voluntary Sector / £
Other (please state) / £
Overall cost of your project / £
Please provide details about the overall costs associated with your project (please add additional rows as appropriate) / Item / Cost
Capital Revenue

AUTHORISED SIGNATORY

This section must be signed by someone with the required authority (e.g. Chairperson). An electronic signature is acceptable.
I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all the information in this Expression of Interest is true and correct. I understand that, should this proposal be further developed, you may ask for additional information at any stage of the application process.
Signed / Print name
Position / Date

The following sections are for office use only.

Does this project meet the basic eligibility criteria? / Yes / No
Notes/ Comments (for office use):
Assessor:
Date:
Outcome:
(double click in the box that applies to you, and then select ‘Checked’. Where appropriate please also include the Registration number.)
Eligible / Potentially eligible / Ineligible
Feedback and comments from sub-group:

Page 1

David Perry, Director of Corporate Resources,
PO Box 300, Property Services, Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood, BS15 0DS
Telephone: 01454 868009 www.southglos.gov.uk /