Date published: 2025-10-09 | Category: Giving people a bigger say, Keynsham Area, Regeneration and Development
A programme of potential schemes to regenerate Keynsham town centre which includes shopfront improvements, active travel projects and high street planting has been endorsed by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The Keynsham Town Centre Regeneration Action Plan also includes further public realm improvements to the Upper High Street and Temple Street, more community and cultural events and opportunities to create extra community space.
The action plan has been developed in partnership with Keynsham Town Council and was informed by a consultation that took place earlier this year which received more than 400 responses. It shortlists opportunities for town centre projects with methods of delivery to be identified and funding applications made from October 2025 onwards.
Feedback from the community engagement showed support for the following projects:
- Improved signage
- High street planting
- Upper High Street and further Temple Street public realm improvements
- Further shop front improvements
- Repurposing of Riverside vacant units
- Active travel projects such as improved walking connections, cycle repair stations and improved cycle routes
- More community and cultural events
- Pedestrian priority as one of the options being considered as part of the Creating sustainable communities: Journey to Net Zero strategy.
- Additional community space
- Improvements to the Memorial Park & Weir possibly including alterations to the weir to enable fish to pass, increased biodiversity and improved signage lighting & visibility in the park.
The plan has been endorsed in a single member decision by Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, after having being endorsed by Keynsham Town Council on September 16.
It is guided by existing planning policy and the Creating Sustainable Communities strategy recently adopted and will feed into the development of the new Local Plan, which responds to the government’s new housing targets and will guide how the district will grow and change over the next 15 to 20 years.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “Keynsham is already a vibrant market town and the Regeneration Action Plan aims to enhance this further by identifying opportunities for investment and preparing to making these a reality. The plan will help shape the town centre as we look to the future housing and employment growth that is on the horizon as part of the Local Plan, creating potential for increased tourism, footfall and trade and protecting heritage assets.
“Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on the Regeneration Action Plan which helped us draw up the shortlist of potential projects. We will now work with Keynsham Town Council to develop the projects by planning how they will be delivered and applying for funding.”
Dawn Drury, Town Clerk, Keynsham Town Council, said: “This is exciting news for Keynsham, local businesses and the community as a whole. The list of projects highlighted in the regeneration plan will enhance the town both aesthetically and practically with huge benefits for everyone. We are confident the improvements outlined in the plan will bolster Keynsham’s appeal to both residents and visitors and put Keynsham on the map as a destination for a wider variety of community and cultural events.”
A pedestrianised high street will be one of the options explored as part of a detailed transport study into Keynsham High Street. Any future scheme would be brought forward in partnership with the community and by work with disability advocates, urban planners, traffic engineers, and accessibility specialists to develop designs that meet the highest standards of safety and functionality.
The town centre Regeneration Action Plan includes aspirations identified by the Keynsham High Street Heritage Action Zone project that took place from 2020-2024 and ideas developed through previous rounds of community engagement.
A new Local Plan Options Report is being consulted on by the council up to November 14.
ENDS