Plans to construct a block of flats adjacent to the well-known Bell Inn pub in Bath have raised concerns about the establishment’s future, prompting hundreds of objections from the public.
Situated on Walcot Street, the Bell Inn has been a prominent live music venue since the 1960s. Thirteen years ago, when the pub was at risk of being sold, the local community rallied to purchase it in a campaign backed by music legends Peter Gabriel and Robert Plant. Now, the venue faces another significant challenge.
Developers propose to demolish an industrial unit next to the pub to build nine residential flats immediately adjoining the Bell. The pub fears the new residents could lodge noise complaints, potentially restricting its live music events. A spokesperson for the Bell stated: “We don’t want to find ourselves being asked to turn down the music, reduce our events or change what makes the Bell what it is.”
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Currently, there are no legal protections preventing new residents moving near pubs from raising noise complaints. While developers are required to include soundproofing measures, the noise assessment submitted with the planning application describes the Bell as hosting “occasional” live music and does not include measurements of noise from within the venue. The assessment considers only a “reasonable worst-case scenario” of 70 people speaking loudly in the beer garden.
In reality, the Bell hosts live music three to four nights a week, with DJs performing on weekends. Manager Arron Whan described the atmosphere: “It is electric - especially on Wednesday nights when we have a loud band on, a lot of students, and a diverse crowd. It’s fantastic.”
Mr Whan expressed concern about the decline of music venues, noting, “We have lost enough music venues already. A legendary venue, Moles, closed a few years ago. Across the country, live music venues are suffering - many have shut due to redevelopment, noise complaints, and financial difficulties exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.”
The Bell is urging its patrons and music supporters in Bath to voice objections to the planning application. Already, 692 objections have been submitted. Mr Whan emphasised, “We don’t have many pubs like this in the county, and we’ve got to look after these places because they are special.”