Bath University Rips Up Green Belt for Housing

The University of Bath has submitted contentious plans to construct up to 296 student homes on Green Belt land at Sulis Club, a site currently used for sports pitches. This proposal has ignited strong opposition from local residents, who argue it will destroy scenic views of the Cotswolds and Westbury White Horse, and decimate the habitats of rare wildlife, including 17 endangered bat species.

Athletes and community members are also dismayed, as the Sulis Club fields are vital for university sports teams and local school children. An earlier plan to convert a building on the site into a climbing center has been abandoned, further fueling resident anger over the perceived prioritization of development over community and environmental concerns. Activists are rallying to fight the proposals.

University officials state the plans are being considered within the local authority's framework for future growth and would undergo all necessary consultations. However, residents express concern over increased traffic, noise pollution, and the loss of a peaceful, semi-rural environment, questioning the university's financial motivations and its responsibility to the surrounding community.