Please read these options together with the policy for Affordable housing or rent in purpose built student accommodation
9.97 Policy H2A in the LPPU directs PBSA to on-campus locations, or elsewhere in the District where a nomination agreement with an educational establishment is provided, or where the PBSA would be provided for 2nd and 3rd year students. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.
9.98 The University of Bath and Bath Spa University have provided the Council with projected student growth figures, which are set out in the Student Growth Topic Paper. The Topic Paper also sets out the calculation used to predict the number of additional PBSA bedspaces that would be required across the Plan period in order to support this growth, taking into account the existing PBSA within the City, as well as any already in the pipeline.
9.99 If an assumption is taken that both universities were to grow in line with their projections up to 2030, with an assumed 1% annual growth from 2030 – 2042, approximately 4,734 (or 237 per year) additional PBSA bedspaces would be required across the Plan period, in addition to those already in the pipeline.
9.100 If there was no growth assumed between 2030 – 2042, there would be a requirement of approximately 1,805 (or 90 per year) additional PBSA bedspaces across the Plan period, in addition to those already in the pipeline.
9.101 If an assumption is taken that both universities will grow at the same rate between 2030 – 2042 as predicted between 2022 – 2030, there would be a requirement of approximately 10,093 (or 505 per year) additional PBSA bedspaces across the Plan period, in addition to those already in the pipeline. The LHNA calculates predicted growth in student population based on average growth trends for the 20-year period between 2001-2021. This is consistent with the approach taken for other forms of housing.
9.102 The LHNA calculates predicted growth in student population based on average growth trends for the 20-year period between 2001-2021 . This is consistent with the approach taken for other forms of housing. The LHNA calculates that the number of the students requiring accommodation in Bath and North East Somerset to be 7,300 (or 370 per year).
9.103 Challenges exist in accommodating continued levels of student growth within Bath, and across the District, particularly given the higher priority for accommodating non-student housing and especially affordable housing to meet local need and employment space. Additionally other Local Plan priorities e.g. relating green infrastructure provision and protection of the World Heritage Site, its setting, and other heritage assets also limit the ability to accommodate further PBSA. The following options test three ways in which provision of PBSA could be accommodated and controlled within the District.
Option A
Restrict PBSA across the district other than on-campus.
Advantages
- Protection of sites in B&NES for general housing and employment uses
- Encourages exploration of campus provision outside B&NES
Disadvantages
If provision of PBSA is not in line with educational establishment growth, potential to limit growth, or increase HMO numbers across the district.
Option B
Allow PBSA to only be developed on sites specifically allocated for that purpose, including a review of potential locations outside Bath, i.e. Keynsham and Hicks Gate.
Advantages
- Better management of location and quantum of PBSA
- Protection of sites for general housing and employment uses, or a mix including some PBSA
- Encourage exploration of sustainable locations outside the city to provide PBSA
Disadvantages
- If provision of PBSA is not in line with educational establishment growth, potential to limit growth, or increase HMO numbers across the district
- Sites outside Bath potentially not as sustainable for students travelling to universities
- Green Belt release for PBSA would require exceptional circumstances justification
Option C
Retain LPPU policy H2A as worded, giving educational establishments flexibility to use nomination agreements to bring forward PBSA.
Advantages
Flexibility for educational establishments to meet growth needs off-campus.
Disadvantages
- Off-campus PBSA likely to lead to loss of land for employment and general housing
- Off-campus PBSA is market-led, so likely to provide higher proportion of studios, rather than more affordable cluster flats