Min plans promise little benefit to city

The billionaire Singaporean property developer, the Fragrance Group, is back with revised plans for the conversion of the Mineral Water Hospital into a luxury hotel, but nothing substantively has changed.

The extension, even in its revised form (just four fewer bedrooms), is massive and overbearing, blocking the light for residents living in the housing association behind the Min.

In most other local authorities, the extraordinary proximity of the extension to nearby buildings would be unacceptable.

The development is still illegal and the council would be breaking the law if it were allowed to go ahead. Listed buildings are protected by the law that says that any damage to a listed building whatsoever is illegal unless mitigated by overwhelming public benefit.

The Min is an historic, iconic building in the centre of a heritage city, but the plan offers barely a nod to the community, allowing public access for a handful of days during the year for guided tours. complex

Meanwhile, nearby hotels were struggling even before the pandemic struck, yet still more luxury hotels are waved through on a regular basis.

In regard to this, law says that the local authority is compelled to formulate a Local Development Plan and to adhere to it. The Local Plan is unequivocal – it says: “No new hotel provision is required.”

The council’s decisions must be fully compliant with the Local Plan unless this is rendered impossible by material considerations. Material considerations are those relating to the use of land.

Material factors such as loss of daylight, the overbearing nature of the planned extension, and relevant statutory law all support a refusal of this application.

Bath’s relationship with billionaire developers, who exploit Bath’s heritage but give nothing back in return, needs to be reconsidered – let’s start now by adhering to the law. Many are watching.

To view the plans and submit an objection, visit the link below. The deadline is May 27.

Planning reference: 21/01752/ FUL at www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/search.html