Bath Spa University Purchases Development Site

A development site in Bath has been sold by property specialists Summix to Bath Spa University.

The site on Locksbrook Road already benefits from planning permission, which was granted in December 2020. The proposal will see the demolition of the former Plumb Center and Genesis Lifestyle Centre.

Locksbrook Road is located approximately 15 minutes from the city centre, with the site situated opposite Bath Spa's Art and Design campus, which is under construction.

The development will create an additional 80 student beds for the university across its three storeys, comprised of 52 studios and 28 ensuite rooms in clusters.

Planning permission for the scheme was previously refused in August 2019, with the local council voicing concerns over concentrating too many students in the area.

Planning inspector John Woolcock commented on the objections stating: "Bath and North East Somerset Council's views about an over-concentration of student accommodation are not convincing.

"It seems to me that the acknowledged demand for student accommodation would either be met in purpose-built student accommodation or in HMOs. In the absence of the appeal scheme, the likelihood would be that more of the private rented sector housing would be occupied by students, thereby adding to any over-concentration of HMOs.

"If, as some submissions suggest, students are associated with anti-social behaviour and parking congestion, it would be preferable to accommodate them in a limited number of sites rather than in HMOs dispersed throughout residential areas."

Development director for Summix, Stuart Black commented: "We're delighted to have completed the sale of our Locksbrook Road site to Bath Spa University.

"The site is ideally located to help facilitate expansion around the University's exceptional new Art and Design building. We're pleased to be able to help support Bath Spa in achieving its vision as part of its Strategy 2030 and look forward to seeing new life breathed into the site."

Pro-vice chancellor of Bat Spa University, Paul Fox, stated: "We're extremely pleased to have acquired this important site on Locksbrook Road, which is the next step in developing the Locksbrook 'walkable' campus in line with our Strategy 2030 vision which puts 'creative enterprise at the heart of all we do.'"