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UK: The University of Bath is set to move forward with a 926-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) after local councillors recommended the scheme for approval.
Plans for the PBSA were amended, reducing the number of beds from 962 as well as changes to height and massing of Block 1. Vehicle and pedestrian access, green infrastructure, landscaping, lighting, solar photovoltaics and padel tennis are all included as part of the scheme.
A total of 37 public submissions were made, with 28 in objection to the project. Local councillors raised concerns about how the PBSA might affect traffic and Bath’s heritage sites.
“It is essential that any further developments at the university campus are accompanied by significant measures to reduce the volume and impact of university related traffic and to promote sustainable travel options,” councillor Allison Born said.
“A substantial reduction in the number of car parking spaces at the university is needed to incentivise these changes.”
However, an officer for the locality’s planning committee said the “adverse impacts of the scheme would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of permitting the proposals”.
Conservation group Bath Heritage Trust echoed the sentiment, saying that the development would ease housing demand. The trust noted that some aspects of the plans could be improved, but in total it supported moving forward with plans.
“We consider that the scheme is likely to present less than substantial harm to a number of designated heritage assets, that unfortunately some material to inform a good understanding of the scheme is lacking and that a robust understanding of any impact on the Cotswolds National Landscape is vital,” BPT said.
“Given the designations applicable to the site, the impact of lighting provision needs to be comprehensively understood and we believe that connectivity with the green space to the east of the boundary site could be improved.”
Highlights:
- The University of Bath’s 926-bed PBSA scheme has been recommended for approval by local councillors following amendments reducing the original 962-bed proposal.
- Other parts of the scheme include solar photovoltaics, green infrastructure and padel tennis.
- The scheme received 28 public objections, with councillor Allison Born calling for reduced university car parking to promote sustainable travel.
- Bath Heritage Trust supported the development, stating it would ease housing demand despite noting less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets.
