A proposal for a new urban development in Bath is on the verge of receiving the green light, as plans for the construction of over 450 homes on the former Homebase site are set to go before the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee next week. The decision, scheduled for May 7, will determine whether planning permission will be granted for the ambitious project. The council’s planning officers have recommended approval of the development, which is poised to revitalize the area.
HUB, the developer behind the project, envisions the creation of 454 homes within the 4.45-acre site. The proposed “Pines Way” development aims to introduce fresh green spaces for the local community and address the pressing need for housing in a city witnessing a declining housing supply. The plan includes 275 build-to-rent homes and 179 shared living units, catering to a growing younger population seeking modern and communal living arrangements.
The architectural layout comprises four to six-story residential blocks interconnected by publicly accessible new streets and enhanced with thoughtful landscaping. In addition to the housing units, the development will integrate 1,126 square meters of retail or office space, along with provisions for 51 car parking spaces and 704 bicycle parking spaces. The proposed use of brick and sheet metal in the buildings reflects a design inspired by the industrial heritage of the site, as appraised by the council’s planning officers.
READ MORE: NHS Hospitals in Crisis as Staff Reportedly Faint in 30C Heat
READ MORE: Teenage Driver Sentenced for Fatal Head-On Crash
The former Homebase site falls within the Sydenham Park allocation outlined in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s local plan. The vision for the Sydenham Park (SB7) allocation is to establish a new city quarter that builds on the residential development at Bath Western Riverside, marking a significant phase in the city’s evolution, as highlighted by the council’s planning officers in their report.
Once railway sidings prior to the construction of the Homebase building in the 1980s, the site holds historical significance, situated across the river from Green Park Station, a former railway terminus. Over the years, the station has transformed into a bustling market area, while the adjacent railway bridge now serves as the entrance to a large Sainsbury’s car park.
Notably, a previous planning permission granted in 2021 for a 288-unit care complex was met with rejection by the council, although it secured approval following an appeal to the planning inspectorate. However, the envisioned development never materialized.
The pivotal decision on the new housing development will rest with the council’s planning committee members, who will convene to vote on the matter at the Bath Guildhall on May 7.