Councillors in Bath are facing frustration as new government regulations may allow a proposed residential development, dismissed as “overbearing” by the local planning committee, to proceed despite their opposition.
Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee voted narrowly to reject plans from developers to construct 272 “co-living” flats beside the River Avon. Members expressed concerns that the three to four-storey blocks would be excessively tall and overwhelm the riverside setting. However, under new government rules, such a decision can be overruled by the Secretary of State, currently Angela Rayner, whose approval is required for refusals of developments over 150 homes.
Paul Crossley, Chair of the planning committee and Liberal Democrat councillor for Southdown, described this restriction as “outrageous,” highlighting tensions between local planning control and national policy.
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The proposal involves erecting four buildings along the Upper Bristol Road by Windsor Bridge, a riverside site that has remained largely undeveloped for two decades. The flats would operate on a “co-living” model, meaning individual rooms would have only kitchenettes while extensive communal facilities such as kitchens, dining areas, lounges, a gym, co-working spaces, and a cinema/events area would be provided. The developers described it as “a hybrid space where you can enjoy a healthier, happier lifestyle.”
Local residents voiced strong objections at the committee meeting on 2 September. Paula Riseborough, speaking for nearby objectors, emphasised the need for affordable permanent homes for families, which she argued this development does not address. She advocated for lower-rise, high-density housing with green spaces to foster community development.
In response, the applicant’s representative, Chris Beaver, highlighted that the design was the result of four years of work, defending the proposal’s suitability.
Councillor Toby Simon, representing Bathwick for the Liberal Democrats, supported the scheme, noting the challenges presented by the site’s contaminated history. He argued that the brownfield location was unsuitable for family homes with green spaces and regarded the proposal as a good utilisation of a difficult site.
Opposition voices included councillors Fiona Gourley (Bathavon South) and Eleanor Jackson, who criticised the scale and room sizes and expressed concerns about the design not respecting Bath’s status as a World Heritage Site and its river approach.
The committee voted five to four against the development. The Secretary of State now has 21 days to decide whether to call in the decision for a review, potentially overriding the local council’s rejection.
At the meeting’s outset, councillors were reminded of the implications of the new government regulations. Separately, a plan to build 200 houses on green belt land near Keynsham was approved, with councillors noting it could be challenging to refuse under the same rules.