Agenda item

The five year review of the adopted Core Strategy is now underway and prior to the preparation of the draft plan in 2019, a number of options for changes to policy are being considered. These need to be agreed by Cabinet for public consultation in November 2018.

Councillor Dine Romero made an ad-hoc statement where she expressed concerns by Saltford residents in terms of any proposals on the Green Belt area around Keynsham and Saltford.  Councillor Romero also said that the Green Belt makes a significant contribution to residents and visitors.  Councillor Romero asked the Cabinet to give an assurance that they would stand against developments in the Green Belt.

Councillor Paul Crossley made an ad-hoc statement where he said that setting a Local Plan that would suit everyone was never an easy task.  Councillor Crossley also said that rents in Bath were so high that the term ‘affordable’ has become nonsensical.  There was a need for a strategy that could be communicated with the locals MPs about changes required in the law that would meet the needs of our people.  Councillor Crossley expressed his concerns on growing number of short terms rents in Bath; lack of social housing and the impact of new developments on the Green Belt.

Councillor Bob Goodman introduced the report.
 
The Council was reviewing its planning policy framework to ensure it was up-to-date and responded to the key issues that the area was facing. The consultation document was a discussion document and sets out options. The results of the consultation would be used to inform the draft plan due to be published in 2019.

Key issues in the document;

• Options for greater controls over new student accommodation, with a greater emphasis on focussing new university related developments at the campuses.
• Relocation of Bath’s Household Reuse and Recycling facility.
• Expansion and mix of uses of the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone.
• The introduction of new restrictions on the location of fast food takeaways to prevent them from opening near schools and youth facilities.
• A review of parking standards and provision for electric vehicles infrastructure.

The Local Plan must also reflect the requirements in the Joint Strategic Plan, such as:

• Rolling forward the District’s housing requirements to 2036
• Set out  more details on the new Garden Communities at North Keynsham (1,400 new homes) and South East of Whitchurch (1,600 homes). This would create exemplar, high quality communities to provide new affordable homes, jobs and infrastructure, eg the new Keynsham Link Road; Keynsham Station improvements and bus service improvements will help to relieve existing congestion and improve air quality.
• New housing sites, including affordable housing, in other towns and villages

Cabinet would also consider a report on Strategic Transport Options to ensure that new growth is properly aligned with necessary infrastructure.

The consultation would run from 12^th November 2018 to 21^st December 2018  and there would be exhibitions in Bath, Keynsham,, the Somer Valley and Whitchurch.

Councillor Bob Goodman moved the recommendations.

Councillor Tim Warren seconded the motion by thanking the officers and Members who had worked on the report.  Councillor Warren agreed with comments from Councillors Romero and Crossley on the importance of the Green Belt and on the negative impact of short term rental homes.  Councillor Warren concluded his statement by saying that we need houses for the residents of Bath and North East Somerset and again highlighted the importance of the Green Belt, in particular around the Keynsham area which would need to stay separated from Bristol.

Councillor Paul May commented that he was pleased that all parties had the same view in terms of the Green Belt importance and preservation, and congratulated the officers on producing the report.

Councillor Charles Gerrish said that he was also pleased that all parties had the same view in protecting the Green Belt though the Council had a duty to co-operate with neighbouring authorities as part of the West of England Combined Authority.  Councillor Gerrish highlighted the importance of the link road to Northern Keynsham development which would not only improve access to the development but also significantly reduce traffic from Keynsham centre.  Councillor Gerrish also said that new estates would need to consider car owners’ habits to park cars outside their houses, and for that reason should consider building wider roads to avoid traffic congestions.  Councillor Gerrish concluded his statement by inviting the public to engage in the consultation. 

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet:

(1)  Agreed the Local Plan Options consultation document for public engagement from 12th November to 21st December 2018;

(2)  Delegated authority to the Director, Development and Public Protection, to make minor changes to the document for clarification and accuracy prior to publication.