The Planning Committee of Bath and North East Somerset Council met on Wednesday 12 February 2025, determining a range of planning applications. Key decisions included the delegation to permit the conversion of Berkeley House into student accommodation, the outline permission for 36 new flats at Treetops Nursing Home in Keynsham, and the permission for three new dwellings in the Green Belt at Woodlands, Whitchurch. A decision on extensions at 105 Holcombe Close was deferred pending a site visit.

Conversion of Berkeley House to Student Accommodation

The committee resolved to delegate permission for the conversion of Berkeley House¹ in Westmoreland, Bath, from offices to student accommodation. The development will provide 34 student rooms in a mix of cluster flats and studios. Councillor Ian Halsall, the ward councillor and Chair of the Planning Committee, declared an interest and recused himself from the debate. He raised concerns about the concentration of student accommodation in the area and the potential for a student campus by stealth, questioning the effectiveness of a condition to restrict occupancy to second and third-year students. Officers confirmed that there is no policy restricting the concentration of specific social groups and that the proposed cluster flats replicate the facilities of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). The decision to permit was carried with seven votes in favour and one abstention.

New Flats at Treetops Nursing Home, Keynsham

Outline planning permission was granted for the demolition of the former Treetops Nursing Home² in Keynsham and the erection of two three-storey buildings comprising 36 self-contained flats. The application was brought to the committee due to a viability assessment concerning affordable housing contributions. The applicant's financial viability assessment indicated that no affordable housing could be provided due to the site's sales values and high building costs. This was supported by the council's independent assessors. The development will include off-site highway works to improve pedestrian accessibility to the town centre and a significant contribution of £91,440.18 towards parks and open space improvements. The decision to permit was unanimous.

Extensions at 105 Holcombe Close Deferred

A decision on the proposed single and two-storey side extensions and new flat roof dormers at 105 Holcombe Close³, Bathampton, was deferred pending a site visit. Ward councillors and the Parish Council had raised concerns about potential overlooking, loss of light, and privacy for neighbouring properties. The committee voted seven to two to defer the decision to allow members to better understand the site's context and the impact of the proposed extensions.

Outline Permission for Four Dwellings at St Malo, Oldfield Park

Outline planning permission was granted for the erection of a terrace of four dwellings at St Malo⁴, First Avenue, Oldfield Park, Bath, following the demolition of the existing bungalow. Councillor Ian Halsall, the ward councillor, declared an interest and recused himself from the debate, having previously requested the application be referred to the committee. He expressed concerns about the density, scale, and design of the proposed dwellings, as well as the loss of a copper beech tree and a historic stone wall. Despite significant public objection, the committee voted six to one with one abstention to permit the development, acknowledging the need to deliver new homes in a sustainable location. Matters of layout, appearance, scale, access, and landscaping will be determined at a later reserved matters stage.

Three New Dwellings at Woodlands, Whitchurch

Permission was granted for the erection of three dwellings at Woodlands⁵, Staunton Lane, Whitchurch. The site is located in the Green Belt and outside the housing development boundary, but the principle of development had been established through a previous Permission in Principle consent. Whitchurch Parish Council had objected, citing concerns about inappropriate development in the Green Belt and poor access. However, officers concluded that the proposal met the definition of limited infilling and was therefore acceptable. The decision to permit was unanimous.

Remodelling of Trossachs Lodge, Bathwick

The committee permitted the remodelling of Trossachs Lodge⁶, Trossachs Drive, Bathwick, including the reconstruction of the first floor, demolition of the existing garage, erection of a new garage, and landscaping. The site is identified as a non-designated heritage asset. Concerns were raised by the council's conservation officer regarding the proposed balconies and roof lantern, and by neighbours regarding the garage's position and design, and potential overlooking. However, officers concluded that the proposed alterations would preserve the character and appearance of the heritage asset and the surrounding area. The decision to permit was unanimous.

Extensions at 16 Southville Terrace, Lyncombe

Permission was granted for the erection of a two-storey rear extension, a single-storey side extension, and the installation of solar panels at 16 Southville Terrace⁷, Lyncombe, Bath. The application was called in by ward councillors due to concerns about the scale of the development, its impact on neighbour amenity, and its appropriateness within the Green Belt and Conservation Area. Objectors raised concerns about overshadowing, loss of light, and overlooking. Officers confirmed that the proposed extensions represented a 29.5% volume increase, which was below the policy maximum for extensions in the Green Belt. The decision to permit was carried with five votes in favour, two against, and two abstentions.

Tree Works at 4 Meadow View, Radstock

No objection was raised to the proposed tree works at 4 Meadow View⁸, Radstock. The notification concerned the removal of one Leyland cypress, the crown lifting of four remaining Leyland cypresses, and the removal of a buddleia. The trees were considered unremarkable and not suitable for a Tree Preservation Order. The works were deemed to be normal garden management. The decision to make no objection was unanimous.

New Planning Appeals Lodged, Decisions Received and Forthcoming Hearings/Inquiries

The committee noted the report on new planning appeals lodged, decisions received, and dates of forthcoming hearings and inquiries. This report provided an update on recent appeal outcomes and upcoming appeal proceedings.

Quarterly Performance Report

The committee received and noted the Quarterly Performance Report for October to December 2024. The report highlighted strong performance in application determination times, with all categories consistently exceeding targets for over eight years. The delegation rate for planning applications remained high, and the percentage of refusals was low, attributed to the effectiveness of the pre-application advice service. Performance on tree works also remained excellent.