This is a site that has awaited re-development for some time. The proposal is for 91 homes. The John Peer building that can be seen from Bath Road, which was at one time a men’s wear store, then a furniture store, and later a Singer sewing machine store, will be demolished.
The developer is SNG (Sovereign Network Group), previously Sovereign Housing Association. Their previous planning application for this Bath Road site was refused on appeal in 2022. Since then Sovereign has bought adjoining land and the current proposal covers a larger site.
The Society’s comments included:
- We welcome the proposed provision of 100% affordable housing.
- There are topographical challenges for laying out the site proposals sympathetically to all its surroundings on this hillside site. We do not think the current proposals yet succeed.
- The heights of proposed blocks A and C will be overbearing on the existing houses on Bath Road and Belmont Road.
- We suggest homes of at least 3 storeys be considered by the scheme, providing homes for larger families and improving the use of the space.
- We feel that the proposed designs are not sympathetic with the surrounding context. They should consider the buildings’ relationship with the adjacent Victorian terraces.
- 32 out of 81 flats are single aspect of which 8 face predominately north.
- We applaud the integration of a pedestrian corridor between Bath Road and Tramway Road. However, we would commend a reconsidered design where these areas of community engagement and green spaces are given greater preference to the parking spaces.
Alan Morris
