Residents of Northend, a village near Bath, are preparing to challenge the recent planning permission granted to demolish the Church of the Good Shepherd, an emblematic brutalist building, to make way for new housing. Constructed in 1967 and used until 2020, the Catholic church stands out as a rare example of brutalist architecture in the Bath region.
The church divides opinion within the community—described as both “loved and hated” by locals—but its proposed demolition has faced widespread opposition. Over 120 residents submitted objections, contrasted with just one supporting the plan. Batheaston Parish Council also formally opposed the scheme, and notably, the council’s own conservation officer had locally listed the church as a heritage asset.
Despite these objections, Bath and North East Somerset Council approved the demolition in June without a vote, with the decision taken by planning officers rather than the full committee. This has fueled frustration among villagers. Caroline Spicer, a local resident, criticized the process, saying, “The decision seems to have been rushed through to favour national housing targets over local needs and protections.”
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Nick Cooper voiced concerns over the planning department’s dismissal of expert advice: “It’s baffling that the conservation officer’s input was ignored. What is the purpose of having such officials if their views don’t influence decisions?”
The church’s brutalist style has polarized opinion. Some regard it as an important historical and architectural statement, while others dismiss it as an “eyesore” or “village joke.” Even some who accept its demolition have expressed reservations about the replacement housing plans.
Residents hoped for smaller, affordable homes or a community facility that respects the character of the conservation area. Instead, the council has approved a development featuring three large four-bedroom houses and one smaller house—properties unlikely to be affordable for most locals.
Michael Birkett-Jones highlighted the importance of preserving the area’s unique environment: “Batheaston is known for its charming roofscapes, scenic views, and centuries-old buildings that harmonize with the Avon Valley’s natural topography. The site is within a conservation area and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
He further noted that the new development’s footprint would extend beyond the church’s current boundaries and alter key vantage points and valley views cherished by residents and visitors alike.
Although the replacement housing plans have been revised to reduce building height, conservation officers remain unconvinced, stating the proposals “fail to respond to the local vernacular.”
Designed by Bath architect Martin Fisher, who also designed St Peter and Paul’s in Combe Down, the church is characterized by its poured concrete blocks, absent a traditional spire. Instead, the roof slopes upward to the southeast corner, evoking the tent of a traveling pilgrim. The innovative use of “Kalwall” panels, which appear concrete-like from outside but reveal colorful patterns when lit from within, adds to the building’s distinctiveness.
The Church of the Good Shepherd reflects the transformative era of the Catholic Church post-Vatican II, embracing the brutalist style then in vogue. Not far away, Clifton Cathedral in Bristol, another brutalist icon constructed shortly after in 1970, achieved Grade II* listed status in 2000, underscoring the architectural significance of this movement.
As Northend residents prepare their challenge, the fate of this divisive yet architecturally important church remains uncertain.