Plans to transform Bath’s historic Royal Mineral Water Hospital into a hotel have been revised after nearly 100 objections.
The revised plans for the RNHRD | Image © Fragrance Group
Residents and official bodies were concerned about the loss of trees, increase in traffic and the impact the development would have the Grade II*-listed building.
Owner Fragrance Group hopes to turn it into a 167-bedroom lifestyle hotel with a health spa and restaurant and has now submitted revised plans.
One of the 98 objectors to the original proposals said: “Bath and North East Somerset Council has declared a climate emergency and cutting down trees and increasing traffic flow to a new ‘luxury’ hotel (Bath really doesn’t need any more of these) is not compatible with this declaration.”
A woman who lives near the property said in her objection: “Our lives matter. This is our homes. If the development goes ahead our entire living environment will change for the worse and I definitely won’t be happy in my home anymore.
“Nearly everything revolves around tourists in this city. Please consider us too. We deserve to feel content and at ease in our homes.”
In its objection, the Bath Preservation trust said: “Whilst we appreciate the opportunity to bring the Royal Mineral Water Hospital back into new and continued use and occupation, the trust ultimately objects to the proposed extension and external material alterations to the Royal Mineral Water Hospital which would have a harmful impact on multiple heritage assets, the Grade II* building, conservation area and World Heritage Site.”
Historic England was concerned that the “development would cause harm to the heritage significance of the Grade II* hospital”.
The plans have been revised in response to the feedback.
The height of the proposed rear extension has been reduced from four to three-and-a-half storeys, and Bath stone and glazing will be used “to provide a contemporary, yet sympathetic extension to the historic façade of the west wing”.
A replacement third story on the west wing has been redesigned with smaller windows and more subservient materials.
A rear garden area will now be planted with new trees to provide outdoor amenity for guests and an enhanced outlook for the residents of neighbouring properties.
Martin Rogers, from Global Hotels & Leisure Consultancy, on behalf of the Fragrance Group, said: “We have worked with key consultees over the past 18 months and our revised application responds fully to the feedback, suggestions and comments that have been raised.
“We believe that our proposals provide an exciting, high quality development that protects, celebrates and enhances the significance of this important Grade II* listed heritage asset which is so central to the history of Bath and its UNESCO World Heritage Site status.”
Currently known as the Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD), the building was sold by the Royal United Hospitals Trust in 2017 to fund purpose-built facilities at its main site in Combe Park. NHS staff have now relocated.
The Fragrance Group’s original plans for the Min were to turn it into a 190-bed hotel, but that figure has now been cut to 167.
Also proposed are a publicly accessible restaurant, health spa, bar, lounge and meeting spaces.
B&NES Council will decide the fate of the application. The reference number on its planning portal is 19/04933/FUL.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
