A significant housing development project in Bath’s city centre will go ahead without including any affordable housing, despite being initiated by the council itself.
On November 19, members of the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee narrowly approved plans to construct 96 homes in two apartment blocks on the Green Park Road Car Park site, part of the Bath Quays North regeneration scheme. However, the absence of affordable housing raised notable concerns among councillors.
Typically, developments of this scale in Bath are expected to allocate 40% of units as affordable housing in accordance with council policies. Nevertheless, exceptions apply when the inclusion of affordable housing is deemed financially unfeasible due to land value or development costs. Planning officers informed the committee that the entire development would not be viable if affordable housing were included.
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Committee member Fiona Gourley (Bathavon South, Liberal Democrat) questioned this, noting, “If the land is owned by the council and the developer is effectively the council as well, why are costs so high that affordable housing cannot be provided?”
This project is unique in that the land—the former Green Park Road Car Park—is council-owned, and the developer, Aequus, is a council-owned building company. Recently, the council agreed to form a limited liability partnership (LLP) with Aequus to deliver the development. Although no affordable homes are included, the council has stated that any profits from the project, returned via the LLP, may help fund future regeneration initiatives or subsidise social housing projects elsewhere.
Independent councillor Shaun Hughes expressed confusion: “Aequus aims to be fully policy compliant on affordable housing, so why is none included here?”
John Leach (Walcot, Liberal Democrat) added, “Unlike private developers, the council does not have to generate profits for shareholders. I am uneasy that a development of this scale cannot offer affordable housing.”
Council officers clarified that the viability analysis took into account the broader Bath Quays North project, which also comprises the redevelopment of Avon Street Car Park into commercial properties. That portion received planning approval in May 2024 and is proceeding separately.
Liberal Democrat Eleanor Jackson said, “If commercial properties can generate rent, why can the residential part not include affordable housing?”
Conservative Tim Warren responded, “Commercial developments are currently not financially viable, so they require subsidy. In this case, the subsidy comes at the expense of affordable housing, which is regrettable.”
Originally lauded in 2019 as “the most significant development in Bath in a generation,” the Bath Quays North project stalled after the initial developer withdrew due to the Covid pandemic, leaving construction work unstarted until now.
Mr. Warren emphasized the urgency: “This development must proceed. Aequus is willing to include affordable homes if possible, but private developers would not.”
Concerns were also raised about the height of the new buildings, particularly a five-storey block overshadowing an adjacent two-storey building on Milk Street. Neighbour Klaas Koopmans lamented that he would lose all the natural light he currently receives.
Ian Halsall (Oldfield Park, Liberal Democrat) recognized the drawbacks but stressed the importance of housing supply: “We are a living, functioning city that needs to house people. I believe the benefits of 96 new dwellings outweigh the negatives.”
While expressing disappointment, Ms. Gourley acknowledged the need for housing amid a lack of a five-year land supply, and reluctantly supported the project.
The planning committee approved the scheme with a 7-2 vote. The council has formed the LLP with Aequus to build the Green Park Road flats, and also plans another 65-home development in Bath Quays South. Meanwhile, the council continues to seek a new development partner for the remainder of Bath Quays North.
Last year, the council signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Bath to explore university involvement in the Bath Quays North redevelopment, potentially to establish new research, innovation, and enterprise spaces in the area.