B&NES Core Strategy
What is it?
In the November issue of Council News, readers were invited to get involved in preparing a major new planning document for Bath and North East Somerset. That document will be called the Core Strategy.
This Core Strategy aims to find imaginative solutions on how to meet demands for new housing, workplaces, transport and other infrastructure. The aim is to develop the strategy by asking the public for their views before producing the strategy document.
A couple of years ago the Government changed the way that planning policies are developed. The Government brought in a new approach to involve the public in how plans are made (they called it 'front-loading'). What it means is that the Government wants people to be more involved at the start of the process, rather than leaving it to the end. Effectively, what the Government has done is to make a Local Authority's strategy binding on the council once it is submitted. So the basic message is: you need to get involved right now. It is no use complaining afterwards because the council will not be allowed to change it.
There won't be a review of the Core Strategy for at least another five years after we've finished this one. Whatever goes forward at the end of the current consultation period, you are stuck with. And the message that came out of the public meeting at Culverhay School is that the council doesn't like that any more than you do!
Warning
I have provided an easy route to the Launch Document, but it is big. Don't try clicking on it unless you have broadband. Printed copies are available from public libraries and Trimbridge House.
So the council want you to work with them, perhaps challenging the assumptions that the Government has imposed on the council as "givens", and looking for less unpalatable solutions to the starting assumptions that the Spatial Strategy offers. These starting assumptions are set out in the Launch Document. The targets can be challenged, but it would have to be a challenge specifically appropriate for Bath (the Government is unlikely to back down from its pledge to build more houses, but might reconsider where they are built); and the possible solutions to the "givens" can be replaced by alternatives, provided the alternatives achieve the same result.
How you can make a difference
The council has identified what we think are the big issues facing the district over the next 20 years. The launch document is area based - you can go straight to the chapter you are interested in and only answer relevant questions, so if you only want to look at the part for Bath, it is not as daunting as it looks.
What the council want the public to comment on is whether they've got the issues right or whether you think they've missed something. Also they want you to tell them what you think is the best way to tackle these issues. Put your local knowledge and passion for your area to good use and have your say on what you would like the district to be like in 2026.
The council's website comment form prints two pages, one of which you write on. I have created a single page version which you can print from the second window.
If you would like to discuss the Core Strategy, or have parts of it explained to
you, the Council is setting up drop-in sessions:
Riverside Offices, Temple Street, Keynsham 3 December 10:00 - 12:30
Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath 4 December 10:00 - 12:30
The Hollies, High Street, Midsomer Norton 5 December 10:00 - 12:30
There is a lot of other background reading on the council website.
You can make your comments online or fill out a comment form and return to the council by email or post to: Planning Policy Bath and North East Somerset Council Trimbridge House, Trim Street, Bath. BA1 2DP
The Council thinks that achieving the delivery of growth while protecting and enhancing Bath's environment is the key strategic issue for the City. Maximum use of development opportunities within the City will help reduce the amount land in the green belt that needs to be developed. At the same time we want to avoid 'town cramming'. The Regional Spatial Strategy proposes that housing that cannot be accommodated within Bath should be met by an 'urban extension' to the City. This will entail change to the boundary of the green belt. There is a separate page for the Regional Spatial Strategy (see below).
Do bear in mind though that the questionnaire is slanted towards aims already in mind: for instance, questions might ask how something can be achieved, without offering the question of whether that achievement is desirable (or indeed possible). So take care when responding not to support the pre-conceived ideas if you don't think that they are appropriate. Make full use of the opportunities to put forward your own ideas (or criticise the pre-conceived ones) in those instances.
And if you think your views on the Core Strategy deserve a wider audience, send them to us as well as the council (details of how to contact us are on the Contacts page) and the committee will decide whether they should be featured on this website.
Regional Spatial Strategy
The Core Strategy has to take into account the draft Regional Spatial Strategy, so we have also created a page to introduce you to that.