Agenda item
UPDATE ON WECA SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, B&NES LOCAL PLAN AND TRANSPORT DELIVERY PLAN
To receive an update from Simon de Beer, Head of Planning, regarding the WECA Spatial Development Strategy and B&NES Local Plan.
To receive an update from Gary Peacock, Deputy Group Manager, Highways and Transport regarding the Transport Delivery Plan and traffic calming.
(20 minutes)
Minutes:
Cllr Tim Ball, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development explained that work is currently being carried out on:
· A refresh of the Local Plan
· WECA Spatial Development Strategy
· B&NES Local Plan
The consultation process has been more difficult this year due to the Covid pandemic.
Simon de Beer, Head of Planning gave a presentation regarding the WECA Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) and B&NES Local Plan. This covered the following issues:
Spatial Development Strategy
· The WECA Spatial Development Strategy is a high-level plan. Sites identified give an indication of where growth should take place.
· The scope of the Spatial Development Strategy.
· The timetable for the Strategy – including informal engagement, preparation of the Strategy and publication of a draft plan for public consultation.
· New strategic evidence.
· Local Housing Needs Assessment – new standard methodology.
· SDS Engagement – views on priorities.
· Call for sites – land that could be available for development from landowners.
B&NES Local Plan Partial Update
· Rationale for the partial update – including some urgent issues that need to be addressed within B&NES.
· Options consultation – around 2,390 comments have been received.
· Key issues for Parishes.
· Next steps.
· Overall timetable.
It was noted that there will be further engagement with Town and Parish Councils and there will be an opportunity to comment on the draft plan.
A copy of the presentation slides is attached as Appendix 3 to these minutes.
Transport Delivery Plan
Gary Peacock, Deputy Group Manager, Highways and Transport, gave a presentation regarding the Transport Delivery Plan and request for highway schemes. This covered the following issues:
· Partnership working with WECA-LTA.
· Bus Strategy and proposed improvements.
· Improvements to bus services are proposed for the A4, A367 and A37 to provide better links between communities.
· Request for highways schemes – there is a high demand. Schemes are assessed and prioritised with the highest priority schemes being added to the capital programme.
· There are 1,200kms of highway in the district and 16,000 streetlights.
Cllr Neil Butters, Cabinet Member for Transport Services stated that he hoped to work with Parishes regarding contentious issues such as road humps and speed signs.
Cllr Joanna Wright highlighted a number of projects that are currently taking place:
· Funding has been awarded for the construction of a recreational trail around a significant part of the lake, but funding conditions need to be satisfied before work can commence. It is hoped that this will be soon.
· The e-scooter trial is currently ongoing, and people can now lease an e-scooter for a longer period of time.
· 20mph zones.
· Provision of more electric car charging points.
· Liveable neighbourhoods scheme. There are two further deadlines to make suggestions for this scheme in May and August. If Parishes have any ideas they would like to raise they should approach their local ward councillor.
Details of Transport schemes approved by the Council in February 2021 can be found using the following link:
The Government’s “Bus Back Better” strategy sets out the long-term plans for bus services in England.
It was noted that Cleveland Bridge in Bath will be closed in mid-May for about 12 weeks to enable repairs to be carried out. Mitigation measures will be put in place across the whole area.
A copy of the presentation slides is attached as Appendix 4 to these minutes.