Bath and North East Somerset Council has approved a £10.1 million supported housing project on the much-debated Tufa Field near Englishcombe Lane. Despite local concerns about building on the unique tufa limestone habitat, the council emphasizes that this carefully planned development will significantly improve the lives of vulnerable residents with complex needs.
The Tufa Field, known for its rare limestone formations and distinctive ecology, has been earmarked for housing for around two decades. Earlier plans to build 37 homes on the site met strong opposition and were ultimately dropped. Instead, the council’s new proposal calls for 16 supported housing units arranged in two clusters that avoid sensitive tufa formations, transforming the site’s ecological value into a central feature of the scheme.
Planning permission was granted last year, and on September 12, the council’s cabinet unanimously approved the allocation of £10.122 million in capital funds to build the homes. Cabinet member for built environment, housing, and sustainable development Matt McCabe praised the project as “an excellent award-winning scheme” that addresses unmet community needs and will “undoubtedly improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents.”
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The development will accommodate individuals with complex requirements such as autism and learning disabilities, providing them with accessible, low-stimulation environments and on-site social care support. This approach allows residents to remain close to family and community, avoiding costly out-of-area placements.
The scheme recently earned a national planning award and a national housing design award, highlighting its innovative design and sensitivity. McCabe noted that the council listened carefully to local voices demanding a less dense and more respectful use of the site. “We went back to the drawing board,” he said, “and because we listened, the scheme won national recognition.”
Council cabinet member Paul May highlighted the social care benefits, stating the housing will help residents live more independently while receiving tailored support. Cabinet member for resources Mark Elliott affirmed the project’s financial and environmental advantages, predicting long-term savings and positive outcomes for vulnerable people and the natural environment.
While the cabinet’s approval was unanimous, some campaigners criticized the council for withholding the full business case, deeming the secrecy unnecessary given the project’s public funding. However, the council maintains that certain details are commercially sensitive.
The council plans to tender the project by the end of the month, award contracts in November, start enabling works in February 2026, and commence full construction by July 2026, with completion anticipated by March 2028.
McCabe concluded, “This is a nationally excellent scheme, shaped by community engagement. We heard those who said ‘if you develop this field, do better’—and we delivered.”