The future of businesses at The Tramshed, Beehive Yard may hang in the balance as the property they occupy has been granted planning permission to convert from business to residential use.
The owners of the site, Kent County Council, have taken advantage of a relaxation in planning controls which could have been prevented by the previous Liberal Democrat administration.
In May 2013 office to residential permitted development rights were introduced as a stimulus to economic growth and to provide new homes.
Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application.
Local authorities were able to apply for an exemption but B&NES Council at the time, chose not to.
Bath MP, Ben Howlett, said: “I really want to know why the previous Lib Dem Council did not apply for an exemption to enable the businesses at The Tramshed to remain secure in their current location.
“It is essential that new homes are built in Bath, but not at the expense of local businesses. We need jobs and businesses in Bath, not just homes.
“Bath and Bristol is one of the largest tech sectors anywhere outside of Hoxton, and we must cultivate this sector, not destroy it and force them elsewhere.”
Ben was so concerned about the situation he has followed the matter up with Brandon Lewis MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, who has confirmed that
“Local planning authorities were invited to apply for an exemption in 2013, and details of the successful areas are set out in the regulations.”
Brandon Lewis said that: “permission has already been granted in this case, and therefore the way to challenge the decision is through the Courts.”
Ben said of the current situation: “I have been reassured there are no plans from Kent County Council’s management company to develop, and that the application was made opportunistically, but it does rather cast a shadow over the long term future of businesses in The Tramshed.”