Proposal to demolish garages and build a house is approved

Plans to knock down a row of derelict garages behind Wellsway in Bath and build a three-bed house have been approved.

Queensberry Estates submitted the application to Bath & North East Somerset Council for the plot at the rear of 21c Wellsway.

The five garages face on to Bruton Avenue and the site is next to Beechen Cliff Methodist Church and hall.

The two-storey house will be dug into the slope and there will be solar panels on the flat roof. An integral garage will have internal electric vehicle charging facilities.

The house will not have a garden, but there is space outside both ground-floor bedrooms and a covered balcony space. There is also outside storage space which can accommodate bikes.

Objectors flagged up concerns including about “overdevelopment”, the design, the impact on neighbouring properties and the lack of parking.

But council planners said the proposed new property is acceptable and will not cause significant harm to any occupiers or neighbours. Access and parking proposals are also felt to be acceptable.

The site is said to be in a “highly sustainable urban location with good access to public parks and green space as well as other amenities and services”.

Council officers said the lack of private outdoor space does not warrant refusal and that the dilapidated garages currently “diminish” the look of the street.

Future occupiers of the property will not be entitled to benefit from residents’ parking permits, in accordance with council policy.