Bath and North East Somerset Council has resolved to grant planning permission for a build-to-rent purpose-built student scheme in Bath
Pegasus Group – acting on behalf of Watkin Jones Group – helped secure a resolution to grant for the purpose-built student scheme from the planning committee, despite officers recommending the application for refusal due to a perceived lack of car parking.
The proposals comprise the construction of four blocks ranging in height from 4 to 6-storeys at Lower Bristol Road in Bath, made up of 316 build-to-rent units, 335 purpose-built managed student bed spaces, commercial floorspace and associated parking, landscaping, vehicular access and public realm improvements.
The application included a policy compliant level of 30% affordable housing within the build-to-rent element equating to 95 affordable units.
Although officers had concerns in relation to the level of parking for the build-to-rent element, the plans included a substantial amount of green travel initiatives to promote sustainable travel modes and provided a level of car parking consistent with other schemes in similar locations.
Members considered the substantial benefits outweighed the concerns in relation to the level of parking and decided to go against officer recommendation.
‘A scheme of real quality and interest’
Daniel Weaver, executive director at Pegasus Group’s Bristol office, said: “We are absolutely delighted to help deliver a resolution to grant for this fantastic scheme for build-to-rent and purpose-built managed student accommodation in Bath.
“The development will provide numerous public benefits not least the provision of 95 affordable homes.
“The wider project team has worked extremely hard alongside council officers and the South West Design Review Panel in order to achieve a scheme of real quality and interest and we would like to thank everyone involved for their input into the project.”
The purpose-built student accommodation is now subject to completion of an s106 agreement.
