The future of a Bath charity which has supported scores of families during the coronavirus pandemic hangs in the balance.
Mercy in Action co-founder John Todd | Photo courtesy of Mercy in Action
Mercy in Action, which provides food and clothing to those in need, hopes permission to redevelop the Jubilee Centre is granted so it can remain in Lower Bristol Road and secure a new headquarters.
Critics have complained that the 127 student bedrooms that form the bulk of the scheme are not needed and Bath is already at saturation point.
Applicants Longacre Estates and Watkin Property Ventures say the properties could be converted into residential apartments if demand for student beds drops off.
Mercy in Action co-founder John Todd said in support of the application: “The existing building does not meet our current needs and is close to coming to the end of its useful economic life.
“It is currently highly energy inefficient, has poor delivery access, and a substandard quality of accommodation.
“We wish to stay in Bath, but require better quality property facilities to maintain our presence, which is growing in importance in the local area.
“We support this application wholeheartedly as it allows the retention of our crucial local charity service within the locality it is needed.
“This purpose-built warehouse and offices will provide security for the next 20 years and will ensure the longevity and expansion of both local and national employment.”
During the height of the first lockdown, Mercy in Action provided quality fresh food, clothing and other essential supplies to up to 125 households per week across Bath and North East Somerset, and demand spiked again with the new restrictions. More families are applying for support every week.
Mr Todd said this week: “We have been working hard to support all families and households, and having this building as our nerve centre is imperative to that ongoing support network.
“We are extremely grateful to the developers as we have been heavily involved in the plans. Without this agreement, it will be extremely difficult to predict our future, especially in these challenging times for all.”
The plans have been met with 36 objections, with claims Bath is overwhelmed with student accommodation, particularly in Twerton, and Lower Bristol Road is already a “nightmare”.
The Bath Preservation Trust raised concerns about the impact on two listed buildings nearby, and said there was “no justification” for more purpose-built student housing.
The Federation of Bath Residents Associations said there were merits to allowing Mercy in Action to remain in the city but echoed comments that there is “no quantifiable need or indeed demand” for more student housing in the city.
It said developers had failed to recognise the impact the pandemic could have on the two universities.
Bath and North East Somerset Council will decide the fate of the application.
Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporter
