About this page
How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works
These site allocation pages contain the following sections:
Site background
- A broad description of the site, with map if appropriate
- An overview of development proposed or already in progress
- Relevant aspects of planning policy for this site
- The history and status of any planning applications for this site
Options for the new Local Plan
We may suggest one or more possible approaches:
- Keeping existing plans for this site as they are
- Making small changes to our approach, which may allow for changes
- Replacing the approach with something that is substantially different
- Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future
Policy context note
- Where decisions about this site may affect how we approach other sites (or vice versa), we will add a note to explain
Explore this site allocation
Select a section below to read more.
We recommend considering the policy options for this site together with those for Newbridge Riverside.
5.58 The existing policy was prepared to enable the relocation of businesses from central area sites to allow these to be redeveloped for mixed use regeneration. For various reasons, it is now looking more unlikely that these uses will relocate to this site and so it is necessary, subject to whether First Bus decide to remain on the site or to relocate, to consider alternative options for Weston Island.
5.59 This is an existing employment site with very good access directly to the Lower Bristol Road. With evidence from the Future Economic Needs Assessment and Office and Industrial Market Review, there are very sound planning reasons to retain an industrial focus for this site. It is also in Flood Zone 3 which precludes residential and other uses.
5.60 Notwithstanding the evidence to retain the site for industrial purposes, there is an aspiration from Bath Art Depot (BAD) to reuse the existing buildings and remainder of the site. They would provide much needed studio space for artists, maker spaces with access to facilities, exhibition venues, space for community-led events and a location where local businesses can offer food, drink, retail and entertainment. This would also involve a diverse programme of creative learning and training, working with Bath’s schools, universities and other community organisations and institutions. Under this scenario Weston Island would host exhibitions and events of national and international relevance.
5.61 Whilst this concept is supported in principle, there is currently no evidence of how this could be delivered, and therefore it is not reasonable, at this stage, for the Local Plan to seek to allocate land for this purpose. The Local Plan will however continue to be supportive of the concept, with the potential allocation being related to whether further evidence regarding its deliverability can be demonstrated during the production of the Local Plan. It should also be borne in mind that the use of the site for these purposes might impede the council’s delivery of its other economic priorities, such as reusing the site for industrial purposes.
5.62 Bath Spa University has an aspiration to deliver and evolve the Locksbrook Creative Industry Hub and there could be potential to utilise Weston Island as part of this. If this concept provides employment floorspace it has the potential to contribute towards the vitality and vibrancy of the wider area. Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and teaching space would not be supported.
5.63 One of the specific requirements in the current site allocation policy is to ‘Provide a welcoming, spacious and safe public sustainable transport link across Weston Island and its respective bridges and provide high quality public realm.’ It then goes on to state that ‘there may also be opportunities for more public facing uses such as creative, arts based activities. Such uses could help to animate and overlook this new link’. Therefore, proposals from Bath Spa University as part of the Locksbrook Creativity Hub concept and/or from Bath Art Depot, could be appropriate uses to ‘animate and overlook this new link’.
Option A
This site could be protected for industrial uses in line with the Newbridge Riverside . This would effectively mean this site is a sub-area of a wider Newbridge Riverside allocation.
Option B
Subject to the space requirement of particular uses, there may be potential to combine the industrial land use requirements with some, or all, of the Locksbrook Creative Industry Hub and Bath Art Depot elements.