Bath aims to combat high housing costs by converting existing buildings. The goal is to increase housing and help those on waiting lists.
The council says they built enough houses overall, but over 5,500 people are on a waiting list. Only about 500 houses become available each year, leading some families to face waits of up to 200 years.
A council member, Matt McCabe, shared these plans at a council meeting in February. He presented a plan with five main goals, the first of which is to use council land for housing.
The council created its own housing group, B&NES Homes, and uses Aequus, a council-owned building company. In 2023, they converted old offices into flats, with seven flats going to NHS workers.
They are building 18 social rent flats at Argyle Works, a former depot on Lower London Road. Flats are also planned at Danes Lane in Keynsham, and another project has 16 homes, but it’s controversial.
There’s a big need for larger family homes, as over 370 families need four-bedroom houses. Only 16 such homes became available recently, and the council lost houses through a “right to buy” scheme.
McCabe explained they need to replace lost homes and wants to build more homes each year. They aim to reach 1,000 new units by 2033, and will use council land to help achieve this.
McCabe believes each new home helps someone, rescuing or improving a tough situation, and getting people off the housing waiting list. The council voted to approve the new housing plan.
The housing plan also has other goals, aiming for diverse housing options and wishing to reduce homelessness. They also want safe, warm homes, and all new builds must be energy efficient too.
The council will work with other groups, and a housing board is now formed including builders, planners, and designers. McCabe is eager to see what they can accomplish together.