Public opinion in Bath has swung decisively against further large scale student accommodation developments in the city.
That’s the view of commercial property specialists at Bruton Knowles who believe last week’s decision to reject plans to convert the Wansdyke Business Centre could mark a significant change of attitude on the part of the public and planners.
Paul Matthews from Bruton Knowles has been increasingly concerned at the number of commercial conversions in the city – arguing that while Bristol has a considerable stock of commercial buildings suitable for conversion, Bath lacks sufficient space to provide converted accommodation on the present scale.
“Converting Bath’s commercial and industrial stock into student accommodation has reached a point where many residents are saying ‘enough is enough.”
“While we welcome the emergence of creative industries in the new waterside hotspots it seems the transformation of the city’s commercial landscape is being delivered at the expense of traditional artisan and blue-collar businesses. New technologies have overtaken established businesses to such an extent they are diluting the employment mix.”
Paul said BANES’ decision to reject plans for more student accommodation at the Wansdyke Business Centre reflected a wider view that the city had more than enough student accommodation.
He said: “The physical geography of Bath is accentuating these effects – some businesses are being pushed out to the commercial estate at Peasedown St John – some six miles outside the city. Bath is crying out for business space and the land just isn’t there now.”
He went on: “We are concerned the city’s hardworking SMEs, workshops and artisan businesses which once flourished here are gradually disappearing from the waterfront.”
Paul said the public outcry over the loss of commercial space at the Wansdyke Business Park demonstrated the importance of artisan workspace to the local people.
The 0.82 acre site in Oldfield Park is home to a mix of businesses, including popular gyms and training centres, a martial arts school, metalworkers and courier firms. A planning application was submitted in June to build new student accommodation on the site.
“While few would argue Wansdyke Business Park is a smart, contemporary commercial space it is, however, home to a number of grass roots businesses and is equally important for the people living nearby.
Paul Matthews concluded: “We are obviously not anti-development – and there is no doubt Bath is a great location for high tech, media and creative businesses. But the employment mix will be diluted if it does make some kind of provision for more traditional businesses somewhere within the town’s boundaries.”
Pictured above: Paul Matthews of Bruton Knowles.
