Billionaire builds homes in city
A British billionaire who criticised Bath’s residents for voting to stay in the EU is building six posh homes in the city he hopes to sell for more than £1 million each. Arron Banks, who is the subject of official inquiries related to Russia and Brexit, is having the “bespoke” architect-designed houses built opposite Bathampton Meadows in Batheaston. The four-bedroom homes are expected to fetch more than £1 million each and are being marketed to Londoners as a “very good deal” and “ideal for commuters”. With good motorway links, the houses near Solsbury Hill have the added attraction of being “close to Bath’s many amenities”, according to publicity material, yet the developer has publicly insulted the city’s residents in the past. Mr Banks, who donated millions to Ukip and the Leave.eu campaign, issued a disparaging description of Bath’s inhabitants after the majority of people living in the area voted to remain in the European Union. The Bristol-based tycoon tweeted that Bath was “full of bleeding heart liberals” and “soft rich Tories” in the months following the 2016 EU referendum. At that point, the 51-year-old’s plans to build six detached homes beside Avon Rugby Football Club had already been permitted by a Bath and North East Somerset Council officer. Construction did not begin until March of this year, however, days before the planning approval granted in February 2015 was due to expire. A man who lives in the neighbourhood was shocked to learn the development nearby was being bankrolled by the controversial figure. The Batheaston resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he saw a “Mr A Banks” listed as the developer when he perused the plans on the council website out of curiosity. “It became fairly obvious it was Arron Banks who was the main person responsible,” the resident said. “One of the builders mentioned a millionaire guy with a Russian wife and it all fit together. “I was quite shocked to find out it was Arron Banks based on everything that you read about the guy. “He’s obviously a person who is permanently in the news these days. He was the main protagonist behind Brexit and there are all these other questions about him and his money.” The resident, who grew up in Bath and moved back recently, said: “I remembered the tweet someone had showed me. It made me laugh a little bit: a guy who has slated people who live in Bath looking to sell six houses worth a million plus to, presumably, people who live in Bath. “He’s well within his rights to do what he’s doing, but he’s insulted the people of Bath and there are question marks over his money. “It’s more of a concern about the developer than the development itself.” The houses are being built on the site of a former plant nursery on land behind 64-92 London Road West. The Bath Chronicle understands they are expected to sell for between £1 million and £1.5 million each. Mr Banks has not responded to several requests from the Chronicle for comment. The company building the homes, Helm Construction, was appointed to “bring the scheme forward on behalf of a private developer”, according to a press release on its website from March 20, 2018. The release, titled “Work to start on luxury homes near Solsbury Hill”, quoted then contract manager Simon Larkin saying: “This scheme will deliver six luxury homes expected to be close to the £1m bracket. “Batheaston is an ideal location near Solsbury Hill with great connectivity to the A4, M4 and A363. “The location is ideal for commuters as it offers a direct link to the M4 or along the A4 to Chippenham, Swindon and beyond.” The release went on to say Mr Larkin “believes the bespoke, architect-designed homes could be of particular interest to buyers re-locating from the Capital”. “Increasing numbers of Londoners are becoming active in the West property market and a luxury home in a village location so close to Bath’s many amenities looks like a very good deal.”
He’s obviously a person who is permanently in the news these days. He was the main protagonist behind Brexit The Batheaston resident