South Gloucestershire Council is set to sell the former Hotpoint UK tumble dryer factory site in Yate for approximately £10 million, paving the way for 190 new homes. The 14.1-acre site on Station Road, which closed in 2024 with the loss of 142 jobs, will be transformed into a mixed-use development including commercial space and a public car park.
Council Bought Site to Save Jobs
The local authority purchased the site in 2021 to rescue jobs at the factory, leasing it back to the owners. However, the facility ultimately closed in 2024, leading to 142 redundancies. Now, the council is preparing to sell to a developer, with half of the proposed homes designated as affordable housing.
Councillor Adam Monk, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, said: “We have run a successful marketing process to attract bids for this land that will help deliver for Yate and the council’s budget. We are comfortable that they will provide a capital receipt from the sale of the land; as well as delivering new homes that people can afford; with the infrastructure, parking and connectivity to local transport and services to go alongside them; as well as space for new businesses and employment for local people.”
Proposals Subject to Consultation
The plans will be considered at a cabinet meeting on July 13 and still require planning approval, along with public consultation. The site is a key part of the council's regeneration plans for Yate town centre.
Earlier this year, council chiefs said they would use the planning process to ensure proposals align with local policies. “We have set out clear aspirations for what good regeneration looks like, which meets local people’s needs and preserves its unique history,” Mr Monk said.
Historic Site with Royal Flying Corps Past
The former factory has a rich history, originally serving as a Royal Flying Corps base in 1917 before becoming Parnall Aircraft's factory during the Second World War. It was central to Yate's growth between the 1960s and 1980s. Whirlpool, the previous owner of Hotpoint, faced challenges including the Covid pandemic in the 2010s. Beko later rescued the site and reopened it, but in 2024 Beko Europe confirmed Hotpoint UK Appliances had entered consultation with staff, and the facility closed permanently at the end of that year. Beko attributed the closure to products becoming “less popular” as consumers favoured more energy-efficient appliances.
