A unique brutalist church near Bath, known for its divisive architecture and locally nicknamed a ‘Marmite’ building, may soon get a new lease on life as a children’s nursery. A local firm, Wraxall Builders, has submitted a planning application to Bath and North East Somerset Council, aiming to preserve the Church of the Good Shepherd in Batheaston and convert it into a childcare facility.
Despite conservation experts advocating for its listing, the former church was previously approved for demolition. The building, designed in the 1960s by Bath architect Martin Fisher, stands out with its unusual square roof sloping upwards at one corner and an innovative window that reveals vibrant colors only when light shines through it. This rare example of brutalist architecture in the Bath region has remained empty for six years.
Wraxall Builders plans a sensitive conversion that avoids demolition, instead activating the space with minimal changes. The company intends to transform the upper worship area into a nursery, while converting the lower ground floor into office space for their firm. Henry Channer of Wraxall Builders emphasized the importance of preserving the building, stating, “It’s worth keeping.”
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Their proposal includes adding a timber porch and colonnade to soften the building’s bold facade and provide practical storage for strollers. Inside, a mezzanine floor will optimize the nursery space without compromising the iconic stained window’s visual impact.
The application highlights the community-centric vision: “Batheaston Parish Council has identified nursery provision as a crucial local need and supports proposals that address this. The building’s spacious, naturally lit interior is well-suited to a nursery with minimal alterations.”
Local residents have voiced support, with comments highlighting both the architectural significance and the practical benefits the project offers. One resident noted, “A building this unique and documented deserves to be saved rather than lost forever.” Another pointed out the community gap: “Batheaston currently lacks a dedicated nursery, so this scheme addresses a real need while preserving a landmark.”
The nursery would operate as an extension of the popular Lookout Day Nursery in Monkton Farleigh. Charlotte Forrester, the nursery’s manager, described the project as “a really exciting scheme.”
This adaptive reuse promises to safeguard a rare piece of Bath’s architectural heritage while providing vital community services, striking a balance between preservation and progress.