Let’s see some action

Richard Wyatt

Here’s a planning application l nearly didn’t see and it involves an historic and listed Bath building that is in urgent need of attention.

It’s the old King Edward’s School in Broad Street.Originally built in 1752 – it’s now a Grade 2* listed building that has lain empty and increasingly derelict for many years.

The school moved in the 1980s and the building was sold to Samuel Smith’s Brewery with the intention of getting permission to change its use to a hotel on the first and second floors and a restaurant and bar on the ground and lower floors.

The brewery has been successful in achieving a number of planning and listed building approvals over the years but has yet to do anything. Now two applications have come through to renew the existing building consents – granted back in 2013 ( and initially granted in 2010) – and get approval for some minor amendments to those previous approvals.

You have until April 1st to comment on the plans and l will list the two web addresses for the applications below.

The old and historic King Edward’s School in Broad Street. Thomas Jelly 1752.

It’s hoped the council’s planning committee will reach a decision by April 20th – there is a planning committee meeting scheduled for April 7th.

What l want to know is how much effort B&NES will put into getting a commitment from Samuel Smiths that they do intend to start work as soon as possible and – if it helps save this building from further dereliction – threaten them with a Compulsory Purchase Order too!

https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/details.html?refval=21%2F00692%2FVAR

https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/details.html?refval=21%2F00695%2FLBA

Published by Richard Wyatt

Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath. Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.

4 Comments

  1. When I think this building has been empty for over half my life time, what a disgrace to Bath. If this latest development comes to nothing then compulsory purchase should definitely be pursued with haste!

  2. Yes it really is about time something was done with this beautiful old building! How long has it been left empty?

    Regards Mr. Rowcroft

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  3. It’s been empty for 41 yrs approximately! There should be a law about this sort of thing!

  4. If they were to effect a compulsory purchase order for the old KES building, perhaps B&NES could simultaneously make a statement about the future of the Corn Market.

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