Stadium plan under fire
Opponents of the Twerton Park redevelopment claim its proposed student blocks are “cramped”, “unpleasant” and will affect residents’ mental health.
A group of Twerton residents are opposing Bath City FC and Greenacre Capital’s plans to build 356 units of student accommodation, 12 affordable homes, 33 co-living spaces, and an extra six flats between 105 and 116 in Twerton High Street.
The plans also include replacing a spectator stand at Bath City FC, a new east terrace, a 3G playing surface, a community hub, a gym and upgrading the High Street.
But the detractors claim legitimate criticisms are being “dismissed”.
The football club responded that the proposal has “overwhelming” support and will bring many benefits to Twerton.
Resident Joe Scofield suggested the height of the student blocks, which range from three to seven storeys, should be reduced and more light should be allowed in.
“Residents would be living in the shadow of enormous student blocks,” he said.
“And the unpleasant nature of the flats facing into cramped enclosures, with no landscape to see and no direct access to sunlight, has been flagged up by planners. In fact, all the council’s recommendations for bringing more light and openness into this complex have been dismissed by the developer.
“Initially it would be students living here. But, as has happened in Cardiff, those flats could one day be rented to different types of tenants.
“Poor housing conditions are known to affect mental health, so that weighs against the proposal.”
Of the 900 comments submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning portal, more than 800 were in favour of the plans.
Twerton resident Diane Alecock claimed the buildings were too tall and said there was not enough provision for cars.
“The student block is too high. Seven-storeys at the back and it goes against the Bath Buildings Heights strategy,” she said.
“This will make the lower level rooms very dark and not good for the mental health of the students. It needs light tunnels to bring in natural light.
“There is also an issue of privacy for the flats at the front of the development and the houses opposite the development will also be in shade. The added shade to the High Street will cause safety issues in the winter months.”
She added: “There is not enough provision for cars in the current plans which will cause more chaos in the surrounding streets both on match days and other events for residents parking in the area.
“Students will also bring their cars even though it is written in their contract that they can’t.
“Just look at the situation on the Lower Bristol Road. Bath City FC state that Twerton residents are for this development based on figures from their consultations and the planning portal.
“Get out on the streets and talk to the people like I do and you will find this is not the case. Why should the residents of Twerton pay the price because of the failure of BCFC to run the club at a profit?
“Bath City FC needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that suits everyone, not just them.”
Lorraine Reeves said she was sad to see Twerton “decline” and asked why student flats could not be built in the university’s grounds instead.
“I think it is out of control all these proposals for student accommodation,” she said.
“There is plenty of land to build on the (university) campus.
“Twerton residents will suffer i.e parking, noise and rubbish pollution.
“Natural light will be compromised by the sight of how high these buildings will be.
“There is enough doom and gloom. There are the elderly in bungalows.
“How will this possibly improve Twerton? We need more shops, not flats. I live in Twerton and I am sad to see it decline.”
In response, the football club said the application had received a huge amount of support and that it was important to separate “fact from fiction”, in regards to claims made by critics.
Its statement said: “There is overwhelming support for this application from the Twerton and wider community.
“If approved, it will bring numerous benefits including the regeneration of Twerton High Street and investment in new community facilities alongside new homes including 12 new affordable housing units, 33 co-living units and six residential apartments.
“It will secure the long-term future of Bath City FC and help to reconnect Twerton with the rest of the city.”
The club said there was growing demand for purpose-built student accommodation rather than for shared houses.
“Students are an important part of life in Bath, from the student volunteers who join us on matchdays at Twerton Park through to graduates who remain in the city and contribute to our local economy,” it said.
“We feel it is important to offer those wishing to further their education the opportunity to live in fit-for-purpose, competitively priced accommodation, sharing space with other students and within the wider community.
“The student rooms at Twerton Park have been designed to be modern, safe, light and comfortable living spaces and they comply with all safety regulations.”
The club continued: “As with any planning application, individuals are free to air their opinions, however, it is important to separate fact from fiction.
“Technical assessments of daylighting into the proposed scheme have been completed as part of the application and these categorically show adequate levels.”
The planning application number is 19/02276/FUL. A target decision date has been set for March 13.
❝ Residents would be living in the shadow of enormous student blocks... all the council’s recommendations for bringing more light into this complex have been dismissed Joe Scofield