Issue - meetings

After a long presence in the city, the Ministry of Defence is now in the process of leaving Bath. The Council is keen to ensure that all three sites are regenerated as housing led development sites.  They should contribute to achieving the aspirations of the local communities as well as meeting the wider objectives of the Bath and North East Somerset Core Strategy.

The Senior Development Officer introduced this item to the Panel. He explained that each Concept Statement guides how the regeneration of the site will protect the most important parts and deliver viable social, economic and environmental benefits.  They outline:

•The vision for the site;

•The key planning and community priorities and requirements in their regeneration;

•How developers should engage with local communities once the sites have been sold and the design and planning of the sites begins.

He added that the Concept Statements are based on sound evidence. They set out realistic requirements and priorities for developers to take into account in any future proposals.  As part of their preparation, they were appraised for economic viability, and stakeholder engagement played an important part in shaping them.

He said that planning applications for both the Ensleigh and Warminster Road sites were due in the early part of 2014.

The Chairman asked if the developers of both those sites could be invited to address the Panel at some point in the future.

The Senior Development Officer said that he would be happy to help with that proposal.

Councillor June Player asked if the Ensleigh and Warminster Road sites had made provision for allotments.

The Senior Development Officer replied that allotment provision was identified in the Concept Statement for both sites.

Councillor June Player asked why allotments within B&NES were half the size of the national figure and whether the ratio of 100 homes = 5.6 allotments was true.

The Chairman replied that he felt these were questions that should be addressed to the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Councillor David Dixon.

Councillor June Player replied that she would seek the answers from Councillor Dixon. She then asked if the homes described as wheelchair accessible on the Ensleigh site would enable full disabled access around the property.

The Senior Development Officer replied that the properties should be constructed to the Built for Life standard and that he expected that to be complied with.

Councillor June Player asked for further information on the ‘Extra Care’ facility proposed for Ensleigh.

The Head of Housing replied that these would be properties that have packages of care available to be put in place and developed accordingly with whoever was to live in the property, primarily older people.

The Chairman thanked the Senior Development Officer for his report and for attending the Panel.