Date published: 2024-01-24 | Category: Planning, Local Plan, Preparing for the Future
Options for future development including new housing and supporting infrastructure, office, industrial and research and development spaces, in Bath & North East Somerset are set to go before councillors.
The Local Plan options report will be discussed by Cabinet on February 1 and is the next stage in the creation of a new Local Plan for the district, which if adopted will form the basis for determining planning applications until 2042.
The Local Plan is used for decision making on development and the use of land across the district and supports the council’s Shared Vision for Bath with North East Somerset of a fair, green, creative and connected place.
The Local Plan options report before councillors covers potential development locations and policy options. Together these set out proposals for new development to meet local needs in areas that are or can be well connected through sustainable transport; ensure a mix of housing types, includes affordable housing; reduce carbon emissions associated with development; and ensure any required infrastructure is provided as early as possible in the development process.
The options also support the council’s Corporate Strategy and Economic Strategy for a fairer, more prosperous and sustainable economy.
The report says an estimated 14,500 new homes are needed up to 2042. Of these, more than 6,000 will be built mainly on brownfield sites in Bath that are already committed for development via planning permission or allocated in the current Local Plan.
However, the report also says a significant element of the projected population growth within B&NES will be students aged 18-23 and as their accommodation requirements are different to other households, this should be considered separately from general needs housing.
The options report highlights a range of locations in B&NES that could be developed to create additional housing or jobs:
- Given the substantial development needs of Bath, the historic sensitivity of the city and the limited supply of land not all needs can be met within the city. Therefore, it is proposed that meeting housing needs and those for employment space should take priority over other uses, including developing Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).Options are therefore proposed that restrict the development of PBSA to on-campus only or also on other allocated sites, which may lie outside Bath, Most of the major brownfield site opportunities have already been identified or delivered, however, there may be some additional development capacity.
- Whilst Keynsham and Saltford suffer from traffic congestion at peak times both settlements (compared to other parts of the District) are relatively well connected by sustainable modes of transport, as they lie in a public transport corridor served by bus and rail and one which is proposed to be the focus of further investment and improvements. Keynsham, in particular offers a good range of services and facilities.
- In the Hicks Gate area on the south east edge of Bristol options are proposed for residential led mixed-use development.
- Due to the relatively good sustainable transport connectivity options are put forward for potential development (of varying scales) in Whitchurch, with the opportunity to provide different benefits to the village.
- In the Somer Valley, options are proposed at Radstock (north Radstock and East Radstock/Writhlington), Peasedown St John and Farrington Gurney for new areas of development to provide new housing, but also employment opportunities, renewable energy and delivering improved infrastructure.
- At Midsomer Norton opportunities for strategic levels of housing are very limited. However, a number of potential smaller site opportunities are identified adjoining the town.
- In the rural area, the Options document proposes that some proportionate growth (of nominally 5% over twenty years) should be planned for at the villages best connected by sustainable transport and with a better range of services and facilities.
If approved by Cabinet, the Options Document will go out for a six-week public consultation starting on 12 February. There will be a series of engagement activities, staffed exhibitions and residents and stakeholders will be able to give their views on the options.
Councillor Matt McCabe, cabinet member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development, said: “The next 20 years will be a time of huge change and the Local Plan is an important opportunity for residents, businesses and communities to help shape the places in which we live, work and socialise.
“One of the objectives for the Local Plan is to help deliver much-needed additional housing that is more affordable and sustainable and supported by the necessary infrastructure. To do this we have to consider development options and policies across the district as a whole.
“All the options will be set out in the report and if Cabinet approves the document, we will hold a public consultation that will give everyone a chance to get involved and have their say.”
The council’s Economic Strategy is also being considered on 1 February. This sets the priorities for the council to create a fairer, greener and more prosperous economy.
You can watch the Cabinet meeting on the council’s YouTube channel and the Cabinet papers can be viewed on the council website.
More information about the development of the new local plan can also be found on the council’s website.
All local authorities are required to have an up-to-date Local Plan and the new Bath & North East Somerset Council plan needs to be submitted by June 2025 for examination by an independent Planning Inspector.
Following the WECA Mayor halting work on the Mayoral Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), the three WECA Unitary Authorities are working closely together on their respective plans and engaging constructively on cross boundary matters and B&NES is also engaging with our other neighbouring authorities: North Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire Councils.
ENDS