Plans to construct a distinctive off-grid home beside the Kennet & Avon Canal have sparked a divided response among councillors at the Bath and North East Somerset Council. Initially, planning officers recommended rejecting the proposal on several grounds concerning the family’s unconventional project. However, after a tied vote, councillors agreed to postpone the decision and collaborate with the family to refine the application.
Wendy Zakiewicz, who has lived on a boat nearby with her family for 18 years, along with partner Tom Edwards and their three children, seeks to build a self-sustaining home on a canal-side plot they have revitalized over the past eight years. Previously a site affected by rough sleeping and extensive fly tipping, the family aims to secure its long-term care through a low-impact, sustainable design.
Zakiewicz highlighted support from the Bath Preservation Trust, which regards the project as “a model of sustainable architecture for the district.” Edwards emphasized the proposal’s benefits for the landscape and community, stating it offers “a genuinely low carbon life” rooted in local stewardship.
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The house design features a cantilever structure supported on pilings due to the sloping land. It will generate electricity through off-grid renewable sources and have its own water supply. Waste management includes a compost toilet system, with waste stored safely before being used to nurture shrubs and gardens in line with Environment Agency regulations.
Sustainability extends to construction materials, as the home will primarily be built from carbon-negative hempcrete, transported by boat to minimize environmental impact. The family also plans a car-free lifestyle, relying on cycling and public transit.
Councillors expressed mixed reactions. Toby Simon called the project “imaginative,” suggesting approval once technical details are resolved. Paul Crossley described it as “one of the most interesting applications” in recent years. Conversely, Fiona Gourley raised concerns about building safety and long-term viability, questioning whether future owners would accept the composting toilet system, stressing the house is a legacy beyond the current family.
With officers indicating significant revisions are necessary, the planning committee narrowly voted to defer the decision, with Chair Tim Ball casting the deciding vote to allow further collaboration on making the plans more acceptable.