Student accommodation at Cramer House, Westmoreland, Bath

What is proposed

The application would convert offices into 22 student cluster flats providing up to 103 bed spaces, with external changes, parking alterations and landscaping.

“The application seeks full planning permission for change of use of Cramer House from offices (use class E) to student accommodation (Sui Generis) in addition to external alterations, reconfiguration of car parking and hard and soft landscaping.”

“The site currently includes 23 parking spaces across the frontage accessed from The Square. These will be amended and reduced to only 3 car parking spaces, for disabled, loading and maintenance purposes. The remaining car park area will be used for cycle parking and bin stores, as well as an outdoor amenity area with benches. Cycle parking for 42 bikes and bin storage is proposed in timber clad stores with green roofs.”

Officer report

The site

Cramer House is a former railway goods shed converted to offices, within the Bath World Heritage Site and outside the Conservation Area.

“Cramer/Grosvenor House is located to the south of The Square, backing onto the railway line. The building is a former GWR railway siding goods shed dating from 1876. It is constructed with squared pennant stone and dressed with limestone ashlar detailing. It has a dual pitched gable roof covered with natural slates. The building is not statutorily listed but is a non-designated heritage asset for its historic and architectural significance.”

“The site is in the dual inscribed Bath World Heritage Site (City of Bath and Great Spa Towns of Europe). The site is bound by the Bath Conservation Area to the north, south and east, but is outside the Conservation Area. The Bear Flat & Oldfield Park Character Area is located immediately to the south of the site. Newark Works, a Grade II listed building is located to the north. The site is adjacent to Bath Central Strategic Policy Area and Bath Enterprise Zone.”

Officer report

Planning history

There are no recent or relevant planning applications recorded for the site.

“No history of recent/relevant planning applications.”

Officer report

Public views

The ward councillor raised concerns about housing need, office loss, student concentration, parking and the possibility of open-market housing instead.

“It is a matter of public record and has just been reported in the local press that as local ward councillor for Oldfield Park I raised an objection to the recent application to convert and change the use of Berkeley House in The Square (24/03730/FUL), a now former office block given approval in May 2025.”

“My predication has come true and in the interests of seeking to defend a site which may or may not be viable as an office use, I must once again object to this specific application. I know it must be considered on its individual planning merits on the grounds that if it is not considered viable for office use and can be demonstrated accordingly, it should nevertheless be left for open market C3 residential use as the adjacent Marr House former office building.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant supported the proposal, and a statement from the ward councillor was read during the meeting.

Committee debate

Members discussed roof lights, office marketing, recreational space, room sizes, parking, accessibility, communal facilities and e-bike charging.

“In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed: 1. The roof lights were the only fenestration for the second-floor flats. The roof lights would open, and this was considered to be adequate. The rear roof was south facing and so there would be good levels of light. 2. Comparisons with the Berkeley House development were made in terms of land use and principles of development. The two sites were different in terms of age and design of the buildings. 3.”

“The lack of success in marketing the property as office space was due to the large scale of the building and its location outside of the city centre. As it was outside the central area and enterprise zone, the change of use was policy compliant. 5. In terms of if the development could be considered as over-development due to the lack of recreational space, it was a cluster flat environment and so recreational space as not part of the proposal.”

Minutes

The vote

The motion to permit was carried by seven votes to one.

“On voting for the motion, it was CARRIED (7 in favour and 1 against).”

Minutes

The decision

The committee delegated permission subject to a legal agreement, report conditions and an additional condition for e-bike charging facilities.

“RESOLVED that officers be delegated to permit the application subject to: 1. The completion of a Legal Agreement to secure: a. Financial contribution of £140,327.20 towards Bath River Line project for unmet demand for greenspace generated by the development; and b. Financial contribution of £3,685 towards targeted recruitment and training, as well as 8 work placements, 1 apprenticeship and 1 new job advertised through DWP in accordance with Planning Obligations SPD. 2.”

Minutes