A Bath engineering firm has submitted plans to redevelop the former council highways depot at Entry Hill after a year of consultation and technical work.
An artist’s impression of how the site could look | Image © Cross Manufacturing Ltd
Cross Manufacturing Company (1938) Ltd, a long-established local business, bought the disused brownfield site in November 2024 and has since been drawing up proposals to bring it back into employment use as part of its expanding operations.
Community consultation on the scheme was carried out during 2025. Following that process, and further technical studies, the company has now lodged a full planning application with Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The proposals seek permission for a new building providing workshop and storage space on part of the site, mainly in areas previously used as hard-standing during the depot’s former use.
According to the plans, much of the site’s existing trees and wildlife habitat would be kept and strengthened, with additional planting intended to deliver a net gain in biodiversity.
The redevelopment proposals were prepared by a team led by Bath-based architects David Brain Partnership. The design has aimed to take account of neighbouring homes, with the building offset from the boundaries, additional planting around the edges of the site, and the structure positioned within the former quarry at a lower level than the residential properties to the south and west.
Sustainability has also been built into the scheme, with the proposed building designed for energy efficiency through high levels of insulation, air source heat pumps instead of gas, and solar panels on the roof.
Richard Cross, chairman of Cross Manufacturing, said: “We are very grateful to everyone in the local community who took part in our consultation last summer, and to our site neighbours with whom we have been in regular contact.
“We are delighted to have now submitted our plans for this site, which has a long history of previous employment use.
“As a long-established Bath business active since the 1920s, we have been working hard to bring it back into use in a sustainable way to enable us to grow our operations in our home city.
“Throughout the process, we have been mindful of the site’s sensitive location on Entry Hill, and our team of largely local consultants has focussed on ensuring that natural features are at the forefront of the plans.
“This has resulted in plans that retain as many trees and habitat areas as possible, and seeks to enhance these with extensive new planting and habitat creation.”
Information about the submitted plans has been added to the consultation website set up by the company last year, while the application can also be viewed on the council’s planning portal under reference 26/01096/FUL.
