Offices at Old Malthouse could become four flats
Part of the Old Malthouse in Bath could become flats if plans are approved.
The stone building on Clarence Street, off London Road, houses an arts centre and some vacant offices.
Bath Land LLP, the applicant, hopes to convert these offices into four ground-floor apartments.
They have applied to Bath and North East Somerset Council for planning permission to do so, although three new windows and a porch, which would be used by the flats, have already been approved by the local authority.
A design and access statement prepared by Oakley Planning and Conservation said that, if the site did not fall inside the World Heritage Site, the building’s change of use could proceed without a planning application, as “permitted development”.
There are some off-road parking spaces attached to the Old Malthouse already and Bath Land LLP proposes allocating one space per flat - four in total - as well as secure bike storage. However, one resident has objected to this plan.
Writing on the council planning portal, he said: “I object to the proposed plan due to the lack of parking in the immediate area around the Old Malt House. The Clarence street and Pera road area although in the resident parking scheme the area is overrun with cars trying to park, four flats would probably mean 6 to 8 extra cars trying to park in an already saturated area.”
Bath Land LLP has also proposed building a glazed privacy screen in front of the windows of the groundfloor flats.
The design and access statement said: “The arrangement would see four flats arranged along the length of the building with access to the car park at the eastern end.
“Pedestrian access to each flat would be via a corridor which would be wide enough to allow for secure cycle storage. It is proposed that three of the flats be for dual occupancy and one (flat 4) for a single occupant.
“The flats would utilise the existing windows on the south elevation, plus the provision of new fenestration as has previously been approved. A small outside space is proposed which would be formed between existing buttresses on the south side of the building.
“Also proposed is a privacy screen which would prevent overlooking between the flats as proposed and the rear of the accommodation on Anglo Terrace. It is relevant to note that this interaction between windows already exists, so the proposed screen would improve the current situation.
“The flat roof area is proposed to be used as a route for a fire escape, but not for wider, general use by occupiers of the flats. One parking space is proposed for each flat on the existing parking area. In this central location and subject to the provision of secure cycle parking, this is an adequate level relative to the accommodation proposed.”
To view the application go to beta.bathnes.gov.uk and search for ref number 22/03848/FUL.