Two storeys could be added onto a Bath office block under plans to house 67 students.
Plans for Frome House on the Lower Bristol Road | Image © Crossman Ltd
After sitting vacant for three years with little prospect of it being filled, Crossman Ltd wants to expand Frome House by more than 60 per cent and give it a new use.
The revamped building on the Lower Bristol Road would stand up to five storeys high, with a new four-storey block facing Jews Lane.
Bathwick Tyres on the ground floor of the site will be retained in the development.
Crossman said in its application: “Whilst there is no demand for the use of the building as office accommodation, significant demand exists across the city for student accommodation.
“The consequences of a shortage of purpose-built student accommodation has manifested itself across the city in the loss of family housing which has been occupied as student HMOs [houses in multiple occupation].
“The proliferation of student HMOs across the city and loss of traditional housing stock is a strategic problem that the council is seeking to address.”
The firm said the demand for purpose-built accommodation off-campus had recently been recognised by the Planning Inspectorate, and claimed 22 shared houses could be converted back into family homes if the Frome House scheme is approved.
The plans say each student would be given 30 minutes to move in using the one disabled parking bay over the course of two weekends. There would also be space for 40 bikes.
Bath and North East Somerset Council will consider the application, reference 21/04147/FUL.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
