Plans checked to ensure ‘full transparency’

REVISED plans from a council-owned property company to build nine family homes will come under scrutiny next week.

Bath and North East Somerset Council loaned Aequus Construction Ltd £2.75 million to buy St Joseph’s Church in Sladebrook Road, Bath. Its redevelopment could generate more than £1 million for the authority.

Permission was granted last year to demolish the church and build nine three-bed homes, but a number of amendments have been proposed to the “poor” plans.

The new application has been called to the planning committee by Southdown ward members Paul Crossley and Dine Romero – who also leads B&NES Council – to ensure “complete transparency”.

Aequus, which is wholly owned by the council, has drawn up revised plans to “improve the quality and marketability” of the homes. The new scheme includes six semidetached three-bedroom houses and three

detached four-bed houses. No affordable homes are proposed - they are required only in developments of 10 or more houses.

The company’s other objectives include maximising revenue for B&NES Council and to deliver developments.

Councillors Romero and Crossley both said they were concerned a number of neighbours had raised objections to the number of houses being proposed, as well as questions over the increase in traffic.

Papers for the meeting say committee chairman Matt McCabe agreed to consider the plans because “full transparency is required on this application”.

Planning officers are recommending approval, saying the scheme “contributes positively to the visual amenities of the area”. They said it would not result in highways issues.

The application will be considered by B&NES Council’s planning committee on Wednesday.