Next step for city centre housing development as council aims to tackle Bath’s homes shortage

January 29, 2025
By

Plans to build nearly 100 energy-efficient homes as part of Bath’s Quays North regeneration scheme have gone out for consultation.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s (B&NES) wholly owned development company Aequus wants to press ahead with the homes on a site on Corn Street, close to the city centre, pictured.

The site already has outline planning permission for 96 homes in two residential apartment blocks with associated work.

The new application by Aequus forms part of phase 2 of the wider Bath Quays North comprehensive mixed-use development on Corn Street.

It also aligns with the council’s ambitions to encourage a range of high-quality housing sizes and types to help alleviate the shortage in the city centre while also enable the development of the wider Avon Street car park site, which the council has earmarked as a future employment space.

Cabinet member for built environment, housing and sustainable development Cllr Matt McCabe said: “Aequus’s planning application is part of a mix of housing options that will help us diversify housing supply locally and include open market, affordable and social housing right across B&NES.

“Building these homes as the first phase of Bath Quays North will help support further investment for affordable homes in later phases.

“This supports the council’s commitment set out in its Economic Strategy 2024-34 to develop a housing offer that is accessible and attractive to all, ensuring our housing stock meets the needs of different resident groups.”

He cited as an example Aequus’s conversion of a historic building 117 Newbridge Hill, which was 100% social housing with priority given to key workers.

“Our own B&NES Homes has provided 67 homes for people. By providing a steady supply of affordable and secure housing options, we have been able to offer permanent homes to those previously reliant on temporary housing,” he added.

The application is seeking approval for the reserved matters of access; layout; landscaping; scale and appearance pursuant to the outline planning permission and aims to deliver one and two-bedroom apartments providing energy-efficient homes in a design that is sensitive to its heritage and landscape context.

Last year the council and the University of Bath announced a new partnership to develop a vision for the future of this key site. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to determine the development of the riverfront site in the heart of the city. 

The Aequus Group was set up in 2016 to provide affordable sustainable homes to meet the housing needs of Bath& North East Somerset residents and help finance council services by developing, delivering, owning and managing property for both the rental and homeowner market on behalf of the council.

It has since delivered around 250 new homes in Bath and North East Somerset alongside meeting its business plan performance to generate £1m a year of income that supports the council’s frontline services, with around 1,000 more homes planned for the future.

Its new homes include 95 apartments at Riverside View in Keynsham and 52 private rented sector units, primarily in Bath city centre and mainly let to city workers and young professionals. 

All Aequus developments are designed to tackle the climate emergency by reducing carbon emissions, with new build homes EPC A-rated. A number are electric only, benefit from additional insulation and a heat recovery ventilation system to reduce energy use.

Other energy efficiency measures used on its homes include solar panels, which have resulted in a minimum 50% reduction in energy costs.

The business is made up of a holding company Aequus Group Holdings, Aequus Developments, which manages private rental properties, and Aequus Construction, which develops housing.

 

Comments are closed.

ADVERTISE HERE

Reach tens of thousands of senior business people across the Bath area for just £75 a month. Email info@bath-business.net for more information.