Left to right: B&NES Chair's Consort, Sean Stephenson-McGall; Council Leader, Councillor Kevin Guy; B&NES Chair, Councillor Shaun Stephenson-McGall; and Bath Mayor, Councillor Ruth Malloy. Marking 20 years of Thermae Bath Spa, Local Plan consultation and clean air This week I want to update you on two important decisions that will help shape the future of Bath and North East Somerset, while also reflecting on a remarkable milestone in our city's recent history. Last Thursday, cabinet agreed to move forward with consultation on our Draft Local Plan, marking a significant step in planning for the future of our area. The Local Plan sets out where homes, jobs and essential infrastructure could be delivered over the coming years and provides us with the best opportunity to influence how growth happens across Bath and North East Somerset. I know there is strong interest in this subject and, understandably, a wide range of views. The reality is that Government requirements mean we must identify land for thousands of new homes. While we do not control those housing targets, we do have a choice about how we respond. By having an up-to-date Local Plan, we can help ensure that new homes are supported by the infrastructure communities need, including schools, healthcare, transport links and community facilities, rather than leaving decisions increasingly open to speculative development.> The consultation is about to get under way and I would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of our area to take part. Whether you are a resident, business owner, community organisation or stakeholder, your views matter. The feedback we receive will form part of the evidence submitted for independent examination, helping to ensure the plan is as robust and effective as possible. Please check our website for details. Cabinet also discussed our ambitious plans to continue improving air quality across Bath and North East Somerset. Over recent years we have made significant progress, but we know there is more to do because clean air is fundamental to good health and wellbeing. Our proposed Clean Air Strategy includes ambitious local targets for nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, going beyond current national requirements and moving towards World Health Organisation guidelines. Finally, this week I had the pleasure of helping celebrate the 20th anniversary of Thermae Bath Spa, one of the most transformative projects in Bath's modern history. Twenty years ago, the spa restored public access to Bath's natural thermal waters for the first time in more than 25 years, reconnecting our city with a tradition that stretches back more than 2,000 years. Since opening, Thermae has welcomed more than five million visitors and today attracts around 230,000 people every year. It has helped establish Bath as a year-round destination, supported local businesses, strengthened our visitor economy and reinforced Bath's international reputation as a world-class spa city. As we celebrated this milestone, it was a reminder of what can be achieved when ambition, partnership and long-term thinking come together. The success of Thermae Bath Spa is part of Bath's remarkable story. Have a great weekend. Councillor Kevin Guy,
Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council | 
Thursday 24 September, 2pm to 4pm
Percy Community Centre, Bath, BA1 2BN
