A new development proposal for 103 student flats in Bath has reignited concerns about the increasing concentration of student accommodation in the area, described by one local councillor as a “student campus by stealth.”
Bathford Partners, the developer behind the plans, has applied to Bath and North East Somerset Council to convert Grosvenor House—an office building located on the 1990s-era business park known as “the Square” near Lower Bristol Road—into purpose-built student housing. The conversion aims to provide cluster flats and duplexes to house up to 103 students.
This application follows last year’s approval to transform Berkley House, situated on the opposite side of the Square, into student accommodation. At that time, councillors acknowledged limited grounds to refuse the proposal despite some local opposition.
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Councillor Ian Halsall of Oldfield Park (Liberal Democrat) has been vocal about the rapid expansion of student housing in the Lower Bristol Road area, warning about the “proliferation” of such developments leading to the creation of a student-dominated enclave that could undermine the community fabric.
Grosvenor House itself has an interesting history, originally constructed in 1876 as a railway goods shed before its redevelopment in the 1990s into office space as part of the Square’s transformation. The current planning documents describe the area as “in transition,” with a noted shift from office to residential and student use amid broader regeneration efforts, including modern office developments at Bath Quays South.
According to the application, office use of Grosvenor House has been minimal in recent years, with the last tenants vacating at the end of September 2025. Despite attempts to let the space for over three years, there has been no interest in retaining its office function.
However, Bath and North East Somerset Council’s economic development team opposes the loss of this office space, highlighting its potential to sustain approximately 148 full-time jobs. They suggest that lack of occupancy may stem from the need for refurbishment, implying that the space could remain economically viable if updated.
Local resident Robin Hapgood expressed strong objections via the council’s planning portal, citing concerns over parking congestion and the impact of additional students on the neighborhood. Hapgood also criticized the developer, accusing them of prioritizing quick profits over community needs and the preservation of employment spaces.
The proposal has sparked a wider debate about balancing student housing demands with local resident concerns and economic development priorities in Bath’s evolving urban landscape.