Bath and North East Somerset Council has resolved to grant full planning permission for the delivery of new student accommodation at the University of Bath’s Claverton Campus, marking a significant milestone in the continued evolution of the University’s estate and the culmination of a complex planning process within a sensitive environment.
The approval represents a key step in realising the strategic vision established in the University’s Campus Masterplan that was prepared by Define and now underpins the campus allocation policy in the Council’s Local Plan. The Masterplan includes a framework for the further development of the campus, enabling the University to respond to changing student needs whilst reinforcing its distinctive character and landscape.
Define led the planning strategy and application process, working closely with the University, the design team and key stakeholders to navigate the key policy considerations, including the site’s location within the Cotswolds National Landscape and Bath World Heritage Site, as well as its proximity to a sensitive bat commuting corridor. We also undertook an iterative assessment of the visual and landscape character impacts in order to balance the need to maximise the site’s capacity whilst responding to its sensitive landscape and heritage context.
The delivery of 926 new bedspaces in a high-quality and truly sustainable development will support the continued success of the University and the benefits that it brings as a world-leading Higher Education institution, whilst responding to local housing pressures and aligning with wider planning policy priorities.
The application follows earlier permissions that were secured by Define at the Claverton Campus, including for a fully recyclable artificial pitch. The new pitch is a key part of the coordinated and phased approach to the development of the campus as it has facilitated the reconfiguration of existing uses and unlocked the land required for the student accommodation scheme.
The resolution to grant planning permission for this important scheme is the culmination of a collective effort from the University and its consultant team and reflects the value of collaboration with key stakeholders and an iterative design and assess approach to scheme development.
Define is proud to have supported the University of Bath throughout this journey and looks forward to continuing its role as the project progresses towards delivery.
