Access improvements at historic Prior Park College are approved

A series of improvement works to the historic Mansion House at Prior Park College, including installing a lift, have been approved.

Photo © Prior Park College

The Catholic independent day and boarding school at Ralph Allen Drive is within the Prior Park estate.

The Grade I Mansion House, which dates from 1748, is the main hub for the school and is described as “the architectural centrepiece of the site, with expansive views over the parkland and Bath”. It is used for events, including weddings.

The house was built for Ralph Allen to designs by John Wood the Elder and completed by Richard Jones for Ralph Allen. It has been in use as a school since 1829.

The building was subject to remodelling following a fire in 1836, restoration following bomb damage in the Second World War and extensive restoration following a fire of 1991.

Some demolition work will be required as part of the access improvements for which Bath & North East Somerset Council has granted planning and listed building consent.

A new lift will link the basement, ground floor and first floor, improving access through the building, including the main entrance, reception, function spaces, dining/catering facilities and administrative offices.

Historic England agreed that the position chosen for the lift in the mansion is the “least harmful”, as the rooms affected are secondary, and for the most part reconstructions after fire damage.

The main impact will be the loss of a small section of the historic vaulted ceiling to accommodate the lift but that is considered to be outweighed by the clear public benefit of improving and ensuring equal access throughout the building.

The works also include replacing a lower ground-floor window in the west wing, converting it into a door, and installing a ramp to improve accessibility between the rear garden and the dining hall.

In the initially submitted plans, the proposal included a ramp with railings, but Historic England and the council planning officer raised concerns about the look of the railings.

The plans were revised and now feature a gentle earth ramp, which won’t need railings.