Bath & North East Somerset Council’s housing company Aequus Developments Ltd (ADL) has been granted permission to convert a former printworks in the city centre into flats.
The former printworks site | Image © Google Street View / Google 2025
The old Colorworks site at 6-8 Cotterell Court in Monmouth Place will be converted into five one-bedroom affordable properties for rent.
The scheme includes replacing a number of windows and doors and adding solar panels to the roof.
There is an enclosed garden area which will provide outdoor space for two of the flats.
As the application was made by ADL and involves two or more properties, the rules state that it should be reported to the planning committee unless the chair and vice-chair of that committee feel there are no significant concerns and it can be dealt with under delegation to council officers.
Vice chair Councillor Lucy Hodge (Liberal Democrat, Lansdown) said: “On this occasion, concerns have been raised in relation to the dimensions of two of the units and that space standards are not fully met as a consequence of the additional of internal insulation.
“There is also the question of loss of office space although the property has been vacant for a number of years and change of use is supported by a recent marketing report.
“In interests of transparency, I recommend that this application is determined by the planning committee.”
She was overruled however by committee chair Councillor Ian Halsall (Liberal Democrat, Oldfield Park), who said: “I am satisfied that this proposal will deliver valued smaller and therefore more affordable homes within the heart of the city, an extremely sustainable location.
“I am also satisfied through the report and information provided that it has been demonstrated that the premises, under their existing use, have been sufficiently marketed without any reasonable potential for new commercial occupants.
“This is an Aequus development, which is an arm’s length development company of the council, but this is no justification alone to refer the matter to committee.
“Noting the third-party concerns regarding space standards, this is a non-designated heritage asset which has its own unique historical internal characteristics and features.
“It is commendable that the units will be given greater energy efficiency and whilst this may bring the size of some rooms to fractionally below the national space standards, this is not B&NES or national planning policy, and it will be a matter for the market to determine the desirability of occupying these units.
“This application should in my view be delegated as recommended.”
