Planning permission has been granted to turn a former Bath care home into “affordable” accommodation for staff at the nearby Royal United Hospital.
The former Newbridge House care home in Bath | Photo © Christie & Co
Bath & North East Somerset Council has given the nod for Newbridge Towers on Newbridge Road to be converted into seven self-contained apartments, and for two four-bed detached houses to be built in the grounds.
It is the latest scheme to be approved for the Edwardian villa. Planning permission was granted in 2024 to convert the four-storey detached property into a private home with 10 en-suite bedrooms and facilities including a gym, games room and cinema room.
A separate application to turn the four-storey building into retirement apartments and build three detached houses in the grounds was withdrawn last year.
Anil Iltas, whose family operated the 20-bed care home before it closed in 2022, said in a statement to the council that the building’s design placed “significant limitations” on its future viability as a care home in the wake of Covid-19 and Brexit, particularly the inability to install a lift to meet modern accessibility requirements.
She said the RUH had approached them, highlighting the “pressing need for good quality, affordable local housing for staff”.
The council received five letters of objection, one of which was written on behalf of 22 local residents. Concerns included more traffic turning onto Newbridge Road, overlooking and loss of privacy.
There were also some comments of support for the use of the accommodation to house key workers.
The conversion into seven apartments will require limited external alterations to the property.
Council planners said the proposed development will not cause significant harm to the occupiers or neighbours. Access and parking arrangements are said to be acceptable, and an appropriate drainage strategy can be secured by condition.
Amendments were sought during the course of the application to ensure that hardstanding does not dominate the look at the rear of the site.
At the front, more landscaping will ensure a positive contribution to the character of the street.
