Plans to construct hundreds of homes on the southern edge of Bath have resurfaced after being blocked two years ago by local authorities.
The Hignett Family Trust, alongside Welbeck Land, has submitted a fresh planning application to Bath and North East Somerset Council, proposing to build 200 homes on the South Stoke Plateau fields in Combe Down. This new effort aims to realize the Sulis Down development, which was previously denied.
In April 2024, the council’s planning committee rejected an earlier proposal to build 290 homes on the same site. While councillors acknowledged some positives—including the commitment to 40% affordable housing—they expressed significant concerns about traffic congestion and the lack of community facilities in the area.
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Addressing these concerns, the new application includes plans for a community hall, a village green, a playground, and allotments. The proposal maintains the promise that 40% of the new homes will be affordable, reinforcing the developers’ commitment to meeting local housing needs.
The application emphasizes that Sulis Down aims to be “a beautiful new addition to the City of Bath,” offering a sustainable, landscape-led development that thoughtfully integrates ecology, architecture, materials, and public spaces.
The initial proposal sparked widespread opposition, with over 1,200 objections submitted through the council’s planning portal and over a hundred residents protesting outside the planning committee in 2024. The committee voted overwhelmingly, 7-1, to refuse planning permission at that time.
Following the refusal, the Hignett Family Trust labelled the council’s decision as “chaotic” and “unreasonable,” appealing to the government’s planning inspectorate. However, the inspectorate upheld the refusal, agreeing that granting permission would negatively affect the special qualities of the Cotswolds National Landscape, including scenic views of the escarpment and dark sky preservation.
In response to these concerns, the developers have adjusted their designs, lowering the height of the proposed homes to lessen the visual impact on the landscape.
Residents and stakeholders can view and comment on the new application as it moves forward with the council.