About this page
How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works
These site allocation pages contain the following sections:
Site background
- A broad description of the site, with map if appropriate
- An overview of development proposed or already in progress
- Relevant aspects of planning policy for this site
- The history and status of any planning applications for this site
Options for the new Local Plan
We may suggest one or more possible approaches:
- Keeping existing plans for this site as they are
- Making small changes to our approach, which may allow for changes
- Replacing the approach with something that is substantially different
- Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future
Policy context note
- Where decisions about this site may affect how we approach other sites (or vice versa), we will add a note to explain
Explore this site allocation
Select a section below to read more.
5.35 The redevelopment of Bath Quays North is currently identified as one of the Council’s flagship regeneration projects and an area that will be transformed into the city’s main business location to help to redefine the city’s economic profile. Outline consent was granted for a comprehensive mixed use development in April 2019, but the delivery of this complex site has not progressed. The site will continue to be the key location for office-led development but one of the proposed options is to slightly broaden this scope to enable a wider range of hybrid business space to enable start up business and research & development space to be delivered.
5.36 The proximity of the site to the rail station, its riverside and city centre location, with the facilities and amenities that it provides are key assets that contribute towards its appeal. It is proposed to update the policy to ensure it reflects the Council’s priorities, including clarifying that Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) or student accommodation continues to not be acceptable as this will impede the delivery of other Council objectives.
Option A
Retain the existing land use mix (primarily office space, Class E(g)(i)) and review and amend the current policy wording to provide greater clarity on, or to change, the development requirements and design principles. This could include changes to car parking requirements, development requirements and design expectations.
Option B
Whilst ensuring this site continues to play a key role in the future economy of the city provide a greater degree of flexibility in terms of the land use mix required by policy. This could allow a change in the requirement to provide a ‘minimum of 20,000 sqm of office floorspace’ (Class E (g)(i)) and slightly broaden this scope to allow a wider range of hybrid business space to enable start up business and research & development space (E(g)(ii) to be delivered. Continue to allow a residential element and continue to exclude student accommodation/PBSA.
Evidence from the Future Economic Needs Assessment and Office and Industrial Market Review recommends around 47,500 sqm of additional office and research and development floorspace should be delivered in the city throughout the plan period (in addition to that committed). To allow a reduction in this important location would add pressure on other scarce sites to meet this need. The existing policy states that ‘redevelopment of this site is the Council’s flagship regeneration project; it will be an area that will be transformed into the city’s main business location and will help to redefine the city’s economic profile.’ Changing the site allocation approach should not undermine this objective.