Issue - meetings

UNESCO made comments on the World Heritage Sites Management Plan in 2011. A full response to these comments is to be made, together with information on potential major developments in Bath, to clear the way for production of a revised management plan in 2016.

Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones in an ad hoc statement welcomed the information dossier which he said seemed to stretch back a long way.  He asked whether the Bath Pattern Book had yet been published and observed that there appeared to be no strategy for limiting the heights of buildings.

Councillor Ben Stevens introduced the item by reminding Cabinet that they would be asked to endorse the document for submission to UNESCO.  He commended Tony Crouch, World Heritage Manager, for his hard work in securing the designation of Bath as a World Heritage City.  He reminded the Cabinet that protecting the world heritage site and developing the area were not mutually exclusive.  He moved the proposal.

Councillor Tim Ball seconded the proposal.  He congratulated Councillor Stevens and Tony Crouch for the excellent report.  He agreed with Councillor Stevens that protection of the world heritage site was very important but that Bath must not become a sleeping city.

Councillor Paul Crossley said that the Council was seeking designation as a Great Spa Tours of Europe.  He acknowledged the point made by Councillor Anketell-Jones and said that building heights was one of the issues needing resolution.

Councillor David Dixon reminded the Cabinet that Berkeley House in Snowhill had in its day won awards for design.  He felt that the Council must demand the very best design, not simply restrict the heights of buildings.  Bath was a living, vibrant city.  He had recently been delighted to use his Discovery Card to take the excellent Tower Tour in the Abbey – which he had not known about previously.

Councillor Ben Stevens summed up by committing to check that the Bath Pattern Book had been published.  He acknowledged the importance of architectural quality in all development across the area.

On a motion from Councillor Ben Stevens, seconded by Councillor Tim Ball, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(1) To ENDORSE the submission of the dossier to UNESCO.