Decision details

The Cabinet Member agrees to:

(1)  Approve publication of the Re-setting the Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan and the District-wide Spatial Strategy document (attachment 1 to the single member decision report).

(2)  Agree that publication of the above document is communicated publicly as the re-launching of conversations with stakeholders on the Local Plan and that an engagement strategy should also be published.

(3)  Agree that a ‘call for sites’ for housing and employment development is held commencing week beginning 3rd February 2025.

The Council has already started preparation of the new Local Plan and undertook an Options consultation in spring 2024. Since that time Government has published changes to National Planning Policy and a revised standard method housing need figure. Due to the significant implications of these changes the Council has had to reset its Local Plan. Resetting the Local Plan is necessary so that further evidence work can be progressed, options for additional development assessed and further stakeholder engagement undertaken. In order to communicate why the Council is resetting the Local Plan, what this entails and some spatial strategy approaches to act as a focus in considering options for development it is necessary to publish a Resetting the Local Plan document. This document will both update stakeholders and mark the re-launching of conversations on the Local Plan. In parallel a further call for sites exercise will be carried out.

Two alternative options were considered and rejected. The first was not to publish a ‘Local Plan re-setting’ document. This was rejected because it is important to keep communities and other stakeholders updated on the Local Plan given the significant implications of revisions to national policy and to also keep people informed of the next steps. The second alternative considered was to publish the ‘Local Plan resetting’ document for consultation and asking for comments on potential spatial strategy approaches. However, it was decided that the risks or disadvantages would outweigh any limited benefit. There are risks that residents/stakeholders will not be able engage meaningfully on very high-level District-wide spatial strategy approaches. Alternatively, a substantial volume of comments could be received diverting resources from more important and productive engagement with community representatives and other stakeholders on potential options. In addition, when commenting on the options presented for consultation in summer 2025 stakeholders will be able to reference and comment on the District-wide strategy approaches.