A developer has said he will listen to people's concerns and change his plans for a city centre hotel.
Following a barrage of objections the owner of the Carfax Hotel on Great Pulteney Street has said he will not pursue plans to build a 72-seat restaurant.
Glauco Cerri, director GECO Properties, announced the climb down after people living near to the former temperance hotel launched a campaign - Gardens NOT Bars - against his proposals.
People said they were concerned about noise, late night drinking, anti-social behaviour and traffic. The application has received 120 comments on the Bath and North East Somerset Council website.
GECO Properties planned to turn the ground floor of the hotel into a bar and build an extension to the rear to make room for a new 72-seat restaurant, which would see the loss of around 15 parking spaces and a small garden area.
The plans, which also include an increase in rooms from 31 to 40, would signal a significant change for the hotel, which until 2013 was owned and run by the Salvation Army and did not serve alcohol to its guests.
But Mr Cerri said he was listening to local people.
"As a result, we are rethinking the building extension, which will now only cater for hotel guests with a breakfast and tea room – the kitchen size will be significantly reduced. In addition, there will be no external seating areas to address concerns over noise levels.
"A car park will continue to service the hotel and any lost green space will be increased, including landscaping to shield the car park.
"It has always been our intention to revive the Grade I listed building to its original glory, making it a building that Bath can be proud of. It is important to us that we have the full support of the local community – our ambition is to create an elegant boutique hotel that continues to enhance Great Pulteney Street, living peacefully with its residents."
Supporters of the Gardens NOT Bars campaign group tied flowers to the railings outside the hotel in protest to the plans.
In a statement the group said: "While we welcome news that Mr Cerri is now rethinking his application, we have seen no tangible plans or proposals. The concessions in his statement do not address the considerable nuisance issues or even mention the large street-side public bar open to be open until 1am.
"Great Pulteney Street is one of Bath's most important, well-loved streets. Locals and visitors alike have been utterly horrified by his inappropriate proposals. We trust Mr Cerri will now formally withdraw his applications and consult with local residents fully before resubmitting a substantially revised scheme."
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