Residents angry over plans for ‘party house’
RESIDENTS have slammed plans for a 25-people ‘ party house’ near Bath city centre. The Roman City Guest House, a bed and breakfast on Raby Place, was seized as part of a major tax investigation in 2019.
Now the six-bedroom Georgian property could become one of Bath’s biggest party houses.
Bath Hot Houses has submitted plans to turn the grade II-listed Roman City Guest House in Raby Place into a commercial holiday let for up to 25 people.
The planning application insists that 25 is the maximum number of guests it can house and says the firm could deduct £500 from their deposit if they receive a noise complaint.
It also claims that visitors would be instructed to not smoke outside the building after 9pm and to not use the courtyard after 10pm.
But locals have hit out at the proposal and said the house is already being used for parties which are making the area ‘unlivable’.
Resident Andrew Hudson wrote in his objection: “This application should be a retrospective application as we have unfortunately had this party house up and running for several months much to the annoyance of just about every neighbour in the street. Residents have already had to put up with large groups of boys and girls late into the night/early morning playing loud music, singing to karaoke, groups out on the street drinking, large groups of smokers in the rear yard late at night.”
He claimed the 10pm curfew proposed by Bath Hot Houses is “far too late” and could not be enforced due to no on-site supervision.
“I also note the letting agents say they charge the groups an extra £500 when the neighbours complain, so not much incentive to do anything about the noise as the agent just makes more money every time they get a complaint,” he added.
He raised concerns about the extra guests using up residents’ parking spaces and said the volume of rubbish produced would allow wildlife to “have a field day”.
Another resident Mike Bell also objected to the application.
He said: “Unfortunately the fear of night disturbance means that even if we have several quiet nights in a row, the arrival of new renters every few days, hooting horns as they arrive, creates anxiety continuously.
“The accommodation described does not materially contribute to the local economy, with the notable exception of a pizza delivery, nor to the tourism industry as the parties could just as well be held in remote areas of the country.”
His view was echoed by Chris Borkett.
He wrote: “I strongly object to this proposal. There have been parties held at this property for the best part of two months, creating significant noise and disturbances for the local residents.
“Combined with the noise from the student houses at this end of
Bathwick Hill, it is rare that we have an unbroken night’s sleep. This area of Bath is becoming unlivable for normal taxpaying residents.”
In the application cover letter, Bath Hot Houses explained how the holiday let would work.
It said: “Bath Luxury Rentals would manage the property and operate a good neighbourhood policy.
“This means that in the event of any noise complaints, a £500 deduction from the deposit will be made.
“If a noise complaint is received by the management company during occupation, then the guests are immediately contacted.
“If a complaint is lodged after the guests have left, the matter is thoroughly investigated, and a charge brought if necessary.”
The letter added that the house had been repaired and refurbished, after falling into disrepair and previously being used by squatters.
The townhouse was part of an £8.1 million property portfolio that was seized in 2019 after the National Crime Agency found it had been derived from the proceeds of unlawful conduct.
Bath and North East Somerset Council will rule on the application later this year.