Eleven new family homes are to be created on the site of the Jubilee Inn overlooking a picturesque valley on the southern outskirts of Bath.
The derelict pub premises on Whiteway Road, Southdown, was affected by fire last year and has now been demolished by new owners Westrock, who are pressing ahead with the development plans.
Closed since 2009 the pub on Whiteway Road was sold to Westrock in a deal completed by brownfield property specialists CJH Land.
Chris Glover from the Bristol office of CJH Land said: “The fire was a setback as the developers were hoping to salvage some materials from the old building. Work is now underway on demolishing the building and putting the new homes on the site.
“It is in a very prominent position between a garden centre and secondary school and the residents there have been anxiously waiting for the site to be brought back into use.”
“The derelict site had been acquired by a Tetbury company who obtained planning permission for 11 family homes. We were then able to sell the site to property developer Westrock, to provide the impetus for some much needed new housing in Bath.
“This is a marvellous site with a superb aspect over the valley towards Englishcombe and residents will be relieved the site will finally be developed following more than three years of uncertainty.”
Chris Glover said the successful completion of the deal is a good example of land owners maximising their return through enhancing the planning permission on their property prior to sale.
He said: “The changes in the housing market means developers across the West are becoming more selective over site purchases. In addition to the challenges developers are facing with the housing market, many local authorities are taking a hard line on planning consents which makes it even more difficult to launch a successful new homes scheme.
“The fact the Jubilee Inn site came with full planning permission certainly boosted its market appeal and created a great deal of interest.
Upgrading the planning consents on your property will make all the difference when it comes to signing a deal with a developer.”
