Bath and North East Somerset Council has given the green light to plans for 220 new homes on the western half of the former Bath Press site, a location that has stood empty for nearly two decades. The council’s planning committee unanimously approved the proposal from developer City & Country on 2 September. This development follows the purchase of the site by City & Country in 2024, who have already begun constructing homes behind the site’s historic façade on its eastern half.
With this approval, a total of 366 homes will be built across the entire Bath Press site. Simon Vernon-Harcourt of City & Country highlighted the transformation: “This will turn a sterile brownfield site into sensitively designed homes within a rich and secluded urban landscape. Our experience with complex urban and heritage sites ensures the creation of well-designed, sustainable new places to live.”
Once the city’s largest employer, the Bath Press closed in 2007, leaving a conspicuous empty brownfield site in the city centre. The redevelopment plans include the construction of three large residential blocks along the Lower Bristol Road and another three behind them. Additionally, a terrace of townhouses, designated as affordable housing, will run alongside Brook Road.
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However, some local concerns were raised during the planning discussions. Councillor June Player (Westmoreland, Independent Group) expressed worries about the impact on nearby Victorian two-storey homes, stating that the new blocks could dominate their smaller residences and affect residents' privacy and enjoyment of their homes.
Despite these concerns, councillors welcomed the progress. Fiona Gourley (Bathavon South, Liberal Democrat) commented, “Having seen this site sitting empty for so many years, to actually see something happening of good value is excellent.” Tim Warren (Midsomer Norton Redfield, Conservative) added, “It’s something that needs building.”
Of the 366 planned homes, 34 will be affordable, slightly under the 30% target set by the council. The planning committee was informed that increasing affordable housing beyond this threshold could render the development financially unviable.
Architect Keith Bradley of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the Bath-based firm responsible for the design, said: “We have designed a distinctive, sustainable neighbourhood that respects the character of Victorian Bath, creates a greener gateway into the city, and delivers 220 much-needed new homes. Planning approval for Bath Press West is a significant milestone toward revitalising this long-vacant brownfield site and completing the regeneration of this important area.”
Historically, the Bath Press began as the Pitman Press, renowned for printing dictionaries teaching Pitman’s Shorthand, an invention by Bath’s Sir Isaac Pitman widely used across the UK. The building’s art deco facade was developed incrementally, completed in 1926.
New homes at the former Bath Press site are currently on the market, starting from £350,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and reaching £900,000 for a four-bedroom townhouse.