A draft Local Plan setting out where new homes, jobs and key infrastructure could be built across our region over the next 20 years will be considered by B&NES councillors on 10 September.
The plan aims to ensure growth happens in the right places, with the schools, healthcare, transport and community facilities needed to support it.
The Draft Local Plan has been shaped by extensive feedback from residents, businesses, developers, landowners, community organisations and other stakeholders. This feedback has helped inform the proposed strategy, sites and planning policies now being presented to cabinet.
The council is required by law to produce a Local Plan and, under government housing figures, Bath & North East Somerset Council must identify land for new homes up to 2043. Without an up-to-date Local Plan, the area would be more vulnerable to speculative planning applications.
One of the council’s key priorities is to provide more homes, particularly affordable homes, and the Options Consultation in 2024 identified land for 14,000 homes over 20 years. However, the government has significantly increased housing targets and now requires the council to identify land for 27,324 new homes over 18 years (nearly double the number in the 2024 consultation). The draft plan before cabinet identifies where land is proposed be allocated to deliver around 80% of the government’s new housing requirement.
Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of the council, said: “We need to plan more homes in Bath and North East Somerset, but homes do not exist in isolation. The people living in them need healthcare, schools, places to meet, transport links to jobs and education and the infrastructure that supports thriving communities.
“The government has imposed a requirement for 27,324 homes over 18 years. We had no choice over that figure and we remain concerned that the unique characteristics of our area, including our World Heritage status and the extent of our Green Belt, have not been taken into account in the way we would have hoped.
“The reality is that a large number of homes are likely to be built in our area. Our only choice is whether we plan for that growth or leave ourselves at the mercy of developers. Without a Local Plan, there is less influence over where homes are built, what type of homes are built and how the infrastructure needed alongside them is delivered.”
Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, said: “We face a significant challenge. Government housing targets have increased dramatically, but we also know there is a pressing need for more homes, particularly affordable homes, for local people.
“The Local Plan is our opportunity to strike the right balance, meeting housing needs while protecting what makes Bath and North East Somerset such a special place to live. We must plan for sustainable growth, ensuring new development is supported by the infrastructure, transport links, community facilities and environmental protections that residents rightly expect.
“Agreeing a sound Local Plan is the best way to shape our own future and ensure development happens in the right way, rather than having decisions imposed upon us. This consultation is the final piece of the jigsaw following an options consultation last year.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet is being recommended to agree the Draft Local Plan to go out for a six-week consultation, starting the week commencing 14 September. If approved, this will be the final opportunity for people to comment on the plan before it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
People will be able to review the Draft Local Plan and submit comments through the council’s consultation website. Every response received will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the Draft Local Plan and should focus on the soundness of the Draft Local Plan and whether it is ready for independent examination.
A number of community meetings in September will feature the Local Plan as the main agenda item; however, views must be submitted as part of the formal consultation process. The meeting dates are as follows:
15 September, 5pm to 6pm. Bath Briefing (online using Microsoft Teams).
16 September, 6pm to 7pm. Somer Valley Area Forum (online using Microsoft Teams)
21 September, 12pm to 1pm. Bath Briefing (online using Microsoft Teams).
22 September, 6pm to 7pm. Bathavon Area Forum (online using Microsoft Teams)
23 September, 6pm to 7.30pm. Chew Valley Area Forum. The Library, Chew Valley School. BS40 8QB
24 September, 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Keynsham Area Forum. Community Space, 5 Temple Street, BS31 1HA
21 October, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Parish Liaison. Community Space, 5 Temple Street, BS31 1HA
Links to the online meetings and log on information can be found on the council website
Meetings taking place online will be recorded and can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
The report to cabinet can be viewed on the council website, and the cabinet meeting can be watched live on our YouTube channel.
