A local Batheaston construction company is seeking to save the Church of the Good Shepherd, an iconic brutalist building near Bath, from planned demolition by repurposing it into a children’s nursery.
Although Bath and North East Somerset Council had previously approved demolishing the church—despite recommendations from its own conservation experts to list it—the building, which has stood vacant for six years, remains a rare example of brutalist architecture in the region.
Wraxall Builders, based in Batheaston, has now submitted a planning application to retain and adapt the church for new community uses. Henry Channer, representing Wraxall Builders, emphasized, “It’s worth keeping.”
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Designed in the 1960s by Bath architect Martin Fisher, the church is distinguished by its unconventional sloping square roof rather than a traditional spire. Its large window, considered one of the UK’s first of its kind, reveals vibrant colors only when sunlight shines through, appearing dull grey from outside.
The proposal envisions a dual-purpose facility: the lower-ground floor would house Wraxall Builders’ new offices, while the upper worship area would be converted into a children’s day nursery. According to the application, “The present application does not seek demolition; it seeks to preserve and activate the building with limited interventions.”
To soften the building’s brutalist appearance, a new timber porch and colonnade entrance are planned, which would also provide secure storage for buggies. Inside, a mezzanine floor would be installed near the colorful window to optimize nursery space while preserving the building’s key architectural features.
The application highlights the community benefits: “The proposed change of use to a children’s day nursery […] and offices […] is a community-beneficial reuse of a building whose former function as a place of worship and gathering has been lost.”
Batheaston Parish Council has expressed strong support, identifying nursery provision as the community’s most pressing need. The open floor plan, abundant natural light from Kalwall panels, and thoughtful design make the space well suited for nursery use with minimal modifications. Additionally, the lower-ground parish hall—with existing kitchen and restroom facilities—is readily adaptable for office use, fully separated from the nursery above.
Community feedback has been largely positive. Fergus Feilden commented, “It would be great to see this interesting building used again without being replaced with a new one.” Chris Gray remarked, “No matter the opinions on its ‘marmite’ style, a building this debated matters to village character. And with no dedicated nursery in Batheaston, this scheme both fills a genuine gap and preserves a landmark.”
If approved, the nursery will be a second location for the popular Lookout Day Nursery from nearby Monkton Farleigh. Charlotte Forrester, who operates the existing nursery, described the project as “a really exciting scheme.”