Consultation on the University Draft Masterplan closed earlier this month, following an exhibition in the Library foyer and Bath Guildhall.

The masterplan seeks to densify the university campus to accommodate new teaching facilities and double the number of student beds on campus. Full plans are available at www.bath.ac.uk/masterplan.

Bathwick councillors have been involved in the masterplan consultation process and are broadly supportive of the proposals. However, Cllrs Coombes and Edwards do have some serious concerns about the proposed parking provision.

The plan seeks to expand the East car park along the Eastern boundary, tarmacing over the sports fields on the National Trust boundary. Tennis courts on Convocation Avenue (parallel to Beech Ave) are also to be replaced by car parks, providing 600 extra spaces.

“Such an increase in car parking cannot be justified; the University and council should concentrate on providing and promoting sustainable transport to the campus” said Bath graduate, Nicholas Coombes. “Extra spaces on campus will only serve suppressed demand and will not prevent parking on nearby residential streets.”

Armand Edwards, still studying at Bath Univesity, recognised “From a student’s perspective, more accommodation on campus is good, but the loss of sports facilities and green space must be resisted. The masterplan must also address the poor provision of social space on the campus for existing students.”