The end could be in sight for the completion of the much-delayed Thermae Bath Spa development as contractor Mowlem has offered to take over the project and deliver it by the end of July for a one-off sum of £26m – covering all claims made alongside past and future work.

A meeting to discuss the proposal took place on 10 February between Bath & North East Somerset Council and Mowlem. The contractor claimed afterwards that both parties were hopeful common ground could be found.

According to Mowlem, public sector procedures normally dictate that any decision on the proposal would take place within three months. However, the council has said it is trying to speed this process up.

B&NES councillor Nicole O’Flaherty responded: “The council is working hard to resolve the dispute between Mowlem, the contractor, and Grimshaw, the architects, about leaking floors at the Bath Spa.

“We are, of course, considering Mowlem’s offer, but once you factor in all the other costs and bills from other contractors, this pushes the total up to £44m – £8m over and above the budget currently agreed for the project.”

Plans for the project – to restore Bath’s historic spas – were first revealed in 2000 but, since then, construction has been beset by problems. The spa was originally intended to open in April 2003.