A furniture and homewares company in the centre of Bath wants to install a security gate to stop rough sleepers from taking shelter in its entrance lobby overnight.
The front of the store on Northgate Street | Photo © The Cotswold Company
The Cotswold Company highlights security and safety issues from rough sleepers who use the lobby at the front of 12 Northgate Street. It describes its proposal as “humane”.
An application for listed building consent has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for a security gate to reduce the “negative social impact of rough sleeping in this specific location” and preserve the Grade II listed building’s architectural and historical significance.
An accompanying statement says the shop front is currently “vulnerable to unauthorised access and misuse” and adds: “The current situation, where rough sleepers occupy the shop front, has resulted in wear and tear on the building’s exterior, including littering and using the entrance as a toilet, causing hygiene and safety issues.”
It says the proposed security gate has been “carefully designed” to blend in with the historic and architectural qualities of the shop front; it can be easily installed and will allow the lobby to locked and blocked off overnight, then unlocked when the shop reopens the following morning.
The statement says: “The installation of a security gate will enhance the safety of both the building and the public.
“Rough sleepers often create additional safety concerns, such as increased risk of fire hazards, blocked fire exits, or issues with public health and hygiene.
“By restricting access to the shop front, the new gate will help mitigate these risks, ensuring that the area remains safe and secure during the night.”
It adds: “While it is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by rough sleepers, the shop front of a listed building is not an appropriate or suitable location for overnight accommodation.
“The proposal for a security gate aims to address the issue in a humane manner by ensuring that rough sleepers are not forced into an environment that could exacerbate their situation.
“Instead, it encourages local authorities and support services to direct individuals to more suitable places for assistance, thus reducing the strain on the building’s environment and enhancing its role in the community.”
The planning reference is 24/04477/LBA. The deadline for comments is 5th January.
