Date published: 2025-06-19 | Category: Bath, Bath Area Forum, Chew Valley, Chew Valley Area Forum, Communities and volunteering, Giving people a bigger say, Keynsham Area, Keynsham Area Forum, Somer Valley, Somer Valley Area Forum
The importance of the Local Plan in guiding future development and shaping the future of Bath and North East Somerset is one of the key topics being discussed at the latest round of Area Forums.
Residents and community organisations are invited to join the conversation at the upcoming events being held over the next few weeks, which are part of the council’s Connecting Communities programme.
They are an opportunity to discuss the Local Plan and the work Bath & North East Somerset Council is doing to re-set the plan, following the announcement last year of new mandatory government housing targets.
People attending can also talk about local needs and opportunities in relation to housing, the economy, the environment, community facilities and transport.
Councillor Sarah Warren, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “I would really encourage people to come along to these events. They are informal opportunities for everyone to share their views on this important issue. Planning decisions affect everyone in a community – we all want to live in healthy and sustainable places and a re-set Local Plan will help us achieve this.”
Last year the council consulted on options for the Local Plan but, following the government’s announcement of new mandatory housing targets in December that increased the housing requirement by 105%, the decision was made to reset the plan. These events are informal engagement ahead of a formal options consultation in October.
The round of forums began with the Somer Valley Area Forum last night (June 18) with the next being the Keynsham Area Forum on Monday 23 June at 6.30pm in the Community Space, Market Walk, Keynsham BS31 1FS. The Chair, Alan Hale, Vice Chair, Adrian Inker will lead the meeting.
The Chew Valley Area Forum meeting will be taking place on Thursday 26 June from 6pm in The Library, Chew Valley School, Chew Lane, BS40 8QB. It will be led by Councillor Heather Clewett, Chair, and Councillor Lynne Easton, the Vice Chair. The agenda will include an update on the Chew Valley Reconnected Partnership.
Bathavon Area Forum will take place on 25 June, 6pm at the Camerton Community Hall.
Area Forums are open to all and bring together public services, local organisations and residents to improve local engagement, encourage people to talk to each other and share their skills and ideas
You can find more information and meeting dates for all the forums on the council website.
Over the summer other informal engagement is planned across the district. The programme of activities will be announced shortly.
ENDS