Bath Developers Accused of Building Student Housing by Stealth

Bath approved student housing near the center. The council approved plans for Berkeley House. Developers will change the office building. It will become homes for 34 students.

The council’s planning group said yes on February 12. They claimed there was no real reason to refuse. The building has six cluster flats and three studio apartments. First-year students cannot live there. The developer lacks a university deal, meaning only older students can reside there.

A planning member, Deborah Collins, disagreed. She says students prefer houses after their first year and do not favor cluster flats then. She argues that flats suit first-year students more.

Another member, Shaun Hughes, voiced worries. He thinks the owners might seek a change later and ask to house first-year students. He noted the city lost office space, meaning a potential loss of 86 jobs. The loss of business rates equals £194k.

Ian Hounsell spoke against the plan. He described a rise in student housing, stretching from Twerton to Churchill Bridge. He said this creates a “student campus.”

He also noted a lack of affordable housing, making it hard for graduates to stay. He sees a “brain drain” because of high costs.

Berkeley House is over 30 years old and sits across from Newark Works. BMT currently uses the building but are moving to Bath Quays South. The owners want student housing now. Changes are mostly inside the building. They will replace windows, and solar panels may get added too.

The application said it’s close to the city center. It serves both city universities well. It is near businesses and houses, including student spots.