Roof damage caused to a Bath church in last winter’s storms has led to slates crashing down onto a public footpath.
Widcombe Baptist Church | Image © Google Street View / Google 2025
Widcombe Baptist Church at Ebenezer Terrace has submitted an application for listed building consent to Bath & North East Somerset Council, saying repair works are planned to start “as soon as possible” in preparation for the coming winter.
The application seeks permission to carry out work on three roof areas at the Grade II listed building, which dates from 1821.
A report prepared in support of the application says: “During the last winter, Bath experienced a number of intense storms, from Storm Darragh in early December 2024 and Storm Éowyn in late January.
“The storms brought fierce winds gusting up to 90mph, heavy rain and widespread disruption.
“As a result, Widcombe Baptist Church experienced a number of leaks across three roof types and alarmingly lost a number of slipped slates to the two-storey pitched roof to the north east.
“This is a concerning health and safety hazard to the general public using the walkways below.”
The report says the building has suffered water damage and there are slipped slates in the gutter, as well as remnants of broken slates on the public footpath.
The church has a congregation of more than 300 on Sundays and is home to the Genesis Lifeline project during the week, as well as providing events, outreach and ministries for all age groups.
The planning reference is 25/02737/LBA. The deadline for comments is 14th August.
