Retrospective planning application submitted for arts venue in Bath

A retrospective planning application has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council for the change of use of a workshop in Twerton to an arts centre.

Roseberry Road Studios in Bath

The application relates to the Roseberry Road Studios, next to the recently constructed Spring Wharf development of around 175 apartments on what was previously Roseberry Road Industrial Estate.

The detached building’s lawful use is light industrial. The change of use took place last year.

The application is to officially change it to a mixed use of studio workshops, two large gallery/events spaces used for exhibitions as well as yoga classes, and occasional music events and film screenings.

A planning statement from consultants submitted with the application says: “The use applied for has commenced as the applicant was unaware of the need for planning permission. Now they are aware of this need, they are seeking to regularise this use.”

The report says that whilst the site does not have any formal parking provision, Spring Wharf has parking spaces which are available for up to three hours. Permit parking has recently been introduced on surrounding roads, including Bellotts Road opposite, which helps manage on-street parking and encourages visitors to use more sustainable modes of transport.

The studios are said to be in a “highly sustainable” location, a five to six-minute walk from Oldfield Park Station and close to bus stops with regular services to the city centre, Bristol and other key destinations including the universities.

“The site also benefits from access to the local cycle network and is within walking distance of a significant number of residential properties, making it easily accessible by foot or bicycle.”

The report also notes that more homes are being built at the nearby Bath Press site which will “significantly increase” the local population.

Activities at the studios are said generally take place in the daytime, but the event exhibition space is also occasionally used during evening hours. However, these events will be limited and managed to ensure people living nearby are not impacted.

The report says: “Roseberry Road Studios hosts occasional DJ and music events within this exhibition space operated in accordance with a premise licence which allows for the sale of alcohol.

“These events currently occur at a maximum of three times a month and this is unlikely to significantly increase in the future. The events have been on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays, with a closing time of 11pm.

“When these first started operating, Roseberry Road Studios did receive a complaint from a resident of Spring Wharf. However, maintaining strong neighbouring relations is very important to the applicants, and they have committed to measures to ensure that this issue is resolved.

“They have adjusted their sound system to reduce noise levels, ensured doors and windows remain closed during events, close the outdoor space to the rear at 10pm, employed a security guard to make sure that people leave quickly and quietly at the end of the evening, and they dispose of any glass waste in daytime hours.”

The statement also notes that the site is close to Lower Bristol Road, the 24-hour PureGym and the Royal Oak pub, “all of which have the potential to generate a small degree of noise and disturbance during the evening hours”.

It says the council is currently considering an application for a temporary fire station on land right next to the site and if granted, it is likely this will contribute to the background noise levels through a “significant increase in activity” in the area.

The planning reference is 25/03598/FUL and the deadline for comments is 10th October.