Meeting documents

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This report sets out the position with regard to the proposals contained in the latest version of the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South West 2006 - 2026, version 2.2 January 2006. This supersedes earlier versions referred to in the report as the First Draft RSS 21^st October 2005, and Second Draft RSS 19^th December Version. It also revises the District Strategy set out in paras 4.6 to 4.10 of the main report.

2. SUB-REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY STATEMENT

2.1 The latest version of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West 2006-2026 sets out a spatial strategy for the West of England area with specific proposals on dwelling numbers for each Unitary Authority area. For Bath & North East Somerset this is as follows and gives a further increase in development levels of 400 dwellings over that set out in the main report:

Regional Spatial Strategy Dwelling Requirement Proposals

for Bath & North East Somerset - January 2006

2.2 In addition the Regional Assembly propose provision should be made for an increase of 20,000 jobs at Bath which will enable strong economic performance to continue as long as land and labour availability can be maintained.

2.3 The dwelling requirement is now 1,500 more than the 15,400 in the First Detailed Proposals agreed by the Executive in September. In addition it makes no provision for the proposed strategy set out in the report to provide strategic levels of growth in the south of the District to help stimulate regeneration and provide improved transport and other physical and social infrastructure.

2.4 No evidence has been provided by the Assembly to show how 7,000 dwellings and land for 20,000 jobs can be accommodated at Bath. The Council's estimate for jobs growth is around 9,250 for the 2006 - 2026 period. Differences in the scale of jobs growth has been raised a number of times with the Assembly.

2.5 Following further analysis of capacity at Bath Western Riverside and consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainability & the Environment, it is proposed that the strategy set out in the report is amended to the following:

2.6 As indicated in the report and set out in Annex 1 there are a number of detailed comments on the RSS policies which have been forwarded to the Regional Assembly and which are recommended for approval by the Executive.

2.7 Following receipt of further drafts of the RSS there may be a need to make further comments. Due to tight timescales it has not been possible to bring further issues to the attention of Members. In order to ensure any further issues are forwarded as soon as possible to the Regional Assembly, delegated authority is sought for the Head of Planning Services to agree further comments in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainability and the Environment. This would not include comments on the Spatial Strategy set out above.

2.8 1) January - February 2006 - Completion of the Draft RSS by the Regional Assembly with meetings as follows:

3. REGIONAL TRANSPORT PRIORITIES AND FUNDING ALLOCATIONS

3.1 This section updates Members on the transport aspects of the draft advice being prepared by the South West Regional Assembly on transport priorities and Regional Funding Allocations.

3.2 A paper will be considered by the Regional Spatial Planning and Transport Group of the South West Regional Assembly on Thursday 12^th January 2006, to allow discussion of the Region's draft document providing advice to Government on Regional Funding Allocations.

3.3 The Region has developed a prioritisation framework, against which the various major transport schemes proposed by the south west highway authorities have been measured. This process takes account of the contribution the schemes would make towards regional strategic transport objectives. The criteria used are:

3.4 The position with the key major schemes in Bath and North East Somerset is as follows:

3.5 This major scheme provides showcase bus improvements on the strategic bus routes across the sub-region. This includes the A4 route between Bristol and Bath, the A37/A362 between Bristol and Midsomer Norton/Radstock, and the A367 between Bath and Radstock. This scheme is included in a list of those schemes which the region has concluded have a strong case for inclusion within an RFA programme to 2016. The scheme could be funded between 2007/08 and 2010/11.

3.6 This major scheme provides an integrated package of measures to meet transport needs in Bath, and is therefore crucial to the development and growth of the City. In particular, it is vital to the ability to accommodate significant housing allocations in Bath. The scheme will provide a state-of-the-art Bus Rapid Transit system, showcase bus improvements on local bus routes, expanded Park & Ride provision and a range of traffic management initiatives. This scheme is also included as one which the region has concluded has a strong case for inclusion within an RFA programme to 2016. It could be funded between 2008/09 and 2012/13. This is one year later than intended, due to the RFA budget for 2007/08 being committed to ongoing schemes.

3.7 Two sections of the proposed South Bristol Ring Road are included in the list of schemes which have a strong case for inclusion in the RFA programme, with funding indicated between 2010/11 and 2015/16. These schemes would link Whitchurch with the A38 and A370 to the west. This would leave a 93missing link94 in the Ring Road between the A4 at Hick's Gate and the A37 at Whitchurch, but which is likely to be important in delivering significant housing allocations in Bath & North East Somerset to the south east of Bristol. Ideally this scheme should be included in the list of longer term schemes on which the region would like to see preparatory work begun so that schemes are available for delivery in the period beyond 2016.

3.8 This scheme would improve the highway links between the South Bristol Ring Road at Whitchurch and Midsomer Norton and Radstock, in order to improve the efficiency of both public and private transport. The scheme would be important in delivering significant housing allocations in the south of the District. The scheme should also be ideally included in those longer term schemes on which the region would like to see preparatory work begun so that schemes are available for delivery in the period beyond 2016.

3.9 This highway scheme would provide a short link to the east of Bath, as proposed in the Bristol/Bath to South Coast Study and the Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study. The scheme should ideally be included in those longer term schemes on which the region would like to see preparatory work begun so that schemes are available for delivery in the period beyond 2016.

3.10 Following discussion at the Regional Spatial Planning and Transport Group on 12^th January, the proposed allocations will be discussed at the Regional Assembly Executive on 18^th January.

3.11 The report to the Regional Spatial Planning and Transport Group emphasises that it is likely that the region will continue to refine this advice to Government later in the year. This will give future opportunities to shape priorities.

4. RECOMMENDATION

4.1 The Council Executive is asked to agree: