Agenda item

Question 1 - Why are we talking about voluntary input from B&NES?

Answer - 85,000 is the total amount across the four local authority areas, 56,000 is already committed within the existing housing allocations, 17,000 will need to be accommodated and B&NES will be required to take a proportion of these homes 

Question 2 – What proportion will be affordable housing?

Answer – Approximately 35%.

Question 3 – How many houses will actually be built, is there a way we can force them to build the homes?

Answer – The Government is paying close attention to the Joint Spatial Plan.  The Council will go back and ask how much affordable housing can be delivered across the region.

A further comment was made - we need to ensure we have sufficient social housing that is new and affordable.  The current part-owned housing scheme is not acceptable.

Question 4 – (Reference to the slides showing the different options) What are the white areas shown on the options map?

Answer – These areas are not so restricted, however they are away from employment growth.

Comment 5 – One of the options looks like Keynsham be developed into Bristol.

Answer – All the options presented show theoretical scenarios that could be implemented.  The consultation is aiming to seek the views from the community.

Question 6 – (Reference to the slides showing the different options) The white areas could be quite sustainable in relation to transport and possibly to create a new town.

Answer – The consultation is seeking these ideas particularly for areas that can support housing and employment growth.

Question 8 – The conservation area for Keynsham does not include Manor Road Woodland and Abbots Wood.  Can these areas be incorporated?

Answer – Richard Daone to provide more details.

Question 9 – Four years ago the public were consulted on a number of sites in Keynsham.  They weren’t listened to regarding their concerns about the traffic flow and increased traffic from the new houses, impacting on the road network.  Keynsham has seen a lot of development but no infrastructure improvements have been made.

Answer – The JSP is bringing together housing, employment and transport to ensure a more holistic approach is taken and the right investment for infrastructure is made.

Question 10 – Once the final outcome of the democratic process is completed will the JSP have to be approved by each council and can B&NES vito the plan?

Answer – The Adoption of the plan will have to agreed by each council.

Question 11 – Will the Hicks Gate urban extension include a new road?

Answer – These are just indicative options, nothing has been decided.

Question 12 – Keynsham needs more parking for businesses and people to travel to work.  A customer survey was carried out by TESCOs which highlighted that customers came from Shepton Mallet.  Do we know where people are coming from and where they travel to?

Answer – Along with the Keynsham Transport Strategy, the Council is carrying out a study in the Chew Valley and Somer Valley.  As part of this process a survey of these trips has been carried out.

Question 13 – Do you intend to survey people who use the swimming pool?

Answer – The request will be taken back to officers involved in the consultation.

Comment 14 – One of the problems with the strategy is that there is an emphasis on cycling and walking, most cyclists get back into the car when it rains.  None here tonight came by bus.