Four-flat conversion amendments at 17 - 18 Milsom Street, City Centre, Bath

What was proposed

The application sought changes to conditions governing alterations for converting the upper floors into four residential units.

“Proposal: Variation of conditions 2 (Shop front adaptation (Bespoke Trigger)) 3 (Replacement internal doors (Bespoke Trigger)) 4 (Fireplaces (Bespoke Trigger)) 5 (New Window Details (Bespoke Trigger)) 6 (Insulation (Bespoke Trigger)) 7 (Secondary Glazing Details (Bespoke Trigger)) 8 (Service Details (Bespoke Trigger)) and 9 (Plans List (Compliance)) of application 23/03108/LBA (Internal alterations to convert the upper floors into 4no. residential units.)”

Officer report

The site

The site is part of Grade II listed terraced properties in a conservation area and World Heritage Site, with retail use at ground floor.

“Site Description: The application site forms part of a row of Grade II Listed terraced properties set on Milsom Street. The terrace is located in the conservation area and the double-inscribed World Heritage Site that consists of the City of Bath and the Great Spa Towns of Europe UNESCO inscriptions. Numbers 17-18 have been linked together with one single point of access; however, originally were constructed as two houses, with both staircases retained through the buildings.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions included listed building consent and planning permission for converting the upper floors into four residential units.

“23/03108/LBA - Consent - Internal alterations to convert the upper floors into 4no. residential units.”

“23/03107/FUL - Permit - 23 May 2024 - Conversion of the upper floors to 4no. residential units.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers found the amendments acceptable because they improved layouts, access, drainage and fire safety while preserving character and avoiding significant amenity harm.

“OFFICER ASSESSMENT The application seeks permission for amendments to a previous approval for the conversion of the upper floors of 18 Milsom Street to 4 flats. The application was granted in 2024 and the revised applications seeks to make amendments to layouts to enable improved access for extraction and drainage and to improve fire safety requirements in according with Building Regulations. The principle of 4 units has been already agreed.”

“Policy D6 sets out to ensure developments provide an appropriate level of amenity space for new and future occupiers, relative to their use and avoiding harm to private amenity in terms of privacy, light and outlook/overlooking. The previous application determined that the level of amenity offered to future occupiers would unacceptable. The revised plans include the addition of heat pumps to provide heating and hot water.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

No consultations or representations were received.

“SUMMARY OF CONSULTATIONS/REPRESENTATIONS None received.”

Officer report

Public speakers

There were no public speakers on the applications.

Committee consideration

A councillor moved the officers’ recommendation, and another councillor seconded it.

“Cllr Crossley moved the officers’ recommendation, and this was seconded by Cllr Simon.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion was carried unanimously, with nine members in favour and none against.

“On voting for the motion, it was CARRIED (9 in favour and 0 against - unanimous).”

Minutes

The decision

Consent was granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

“RESOLVED that consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

The permission included time, heat-pump noise, waste-management and approved-plans conditions.

“2 Air Source Heat Pump (Compliance) The proposed air source heat pump shall comply with the MCS Planning Standards with regard to noise.”

“3 Waste Management Plan (Pre-occupation) No occupation of the development shall commence until a waste management plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The storage of waste shall thereafter be undertaken in accordance with the approved details.”

Officer report