A garage on the outskirts of Bath could be knocked down and replaced with a “traditional Georgian terrace”.
The former Avondale Garage in Batheaston | Image © Google Street View 2023
The disused Avondale Garage in Batheaston could be replaced with a terrace of three houses, with another home up the hill behind them, under a planning application submitted to Bath and North East Somerset Council by property developer Nick Mallaburn of NSM Properties Limited.
A terrace of buildings existed on the site once before, consisting of Mrs Mustoe’s sweetshop, Hewett and Applebys, plumbers, painters and decorators and the Lamb and Flag pub. A garage first opened on the terrace in 1920.
But in the 1960s the terrace was torn down and a modern petrol station building was built, although the petrol tanks were decommissioned 20 years ago due to fire regulations.
A design and access statement submitted with the application by BBA Architects and Planners stated: “The garage at present has a negative impact on the nearby heritage assets, conservation area and street scene, and the redevelopment of this site can improve this.”
Now the developers are proposing building a terrace on this site again. The statement said: “These would be in the form of a traditional Georgian terrace with inspiration taken from buildings previously on site and other houses along the street scene.”
The buildings will be set back from the street in order not to detract from the Grade-II listed “Avoncliff” next door at 117 High Street.
A small existing building attached to the side of Avoncliff would be converted to an office, which BBA claims could provide employment for up to five people.
The house at the top of the site will be “distinct” from the rest of the development. It will have two storeys but will partially be sunk into the hillside.
An earlier planning application submitted last year had proposed two taller buildings at the top of the site, but was withdrawn following feedback from council planning officers.
You can view and comment on the current planning application here.
John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter
