Introduction
Comments on the previous options consultation in Spring 2024 are still relevant. These comments will be reviewed and taken into account, together with additional comments received, when the draft plan is being prepared. Below is a short summary of some of the main issues raised in the previous consultation.
Issues raised during the 2024 Option Consultation
Bath overview
- Transport and Connectivity Improvements: Critique of current public transport with suggestions for better cycling infrastructure, pedestrianisation, and improved connections to reduce car reliance.
- Brownfield vs Green Belt Development: Focus on brownfield site development while considering the potential release of green belt land, highlighting growth and conservation/World Heritage Site (WHS) concerns.
- Housing Affordability and Diversity: Call for more affordable housing and various solutions amidst issues of resident displacement due to investment properties.
- Support for Local Amenities and Infrastructure: Suggestions for ensuring new developments include necessary infrastructure like healthcare, schools, and community amenities.
- Sustainable and Green Development: Emphasis on ecofriendly housing solutions, green space protection and development plans that incorporate climate resilience.
- Historic Preservation vs Development Needs: Discussion about balancing the preservation of Bath’s heritage with the modern development demands.
- Community Engagement and Social Equity: Desire for increased community involvement in planning and policies addressing social disparities, such as differential council tax.
- Tourism Management and Economic Diversification: Recognition of tourism’s impact with suggestions for better management and the need to broaden Bath's economic base beyond tourism and education.
Bath: Site options overview
- Environmental Conservation vs. Development Needs: Respondents express a need to balance housing development with conservation of Bath’s natural and historical environment, prioritising brownfield over greenfield locations to secure local biodiversity and heritage.
- Sustainable Urban Planning & Transport Solutions: Discussions centre on the importance of site selection near to the city to reduce car reliance, integrating sustainable transport, managing congestion, and considering park and ride facilities to mitigate traffic impacts.
- Heritage, Culture, and Community Wellbeing: There's a noted tension between growth and preservation of Bath's heritage, proposing developments respect cultural values and repurpose spaces within these constraints without compromising the city's historic character.
- Housing Crisis and Affordable Accommodation: The acute need for housing, particularly affordable and student accommodation, is highlighted. Calls for higher density redevelopment of under-used sites and adherence to affordable housing provisions are mentioned.
- Community Engagement and Policy Revision: Respondents encourage more community involvement in planning, revising existing site allocations to reflect updated priorities like climate adaptation and ecological preservation.
- Infrastructure and Public Services Impact: Concerns focus on the potential strain of new developments on existing infrastructure and public services, advocating for corresponding infrastructural enhancements.
- Climate Change and Ecological Response: Some emphasis on aligning housing developments with climate and ecological emergencies, focusing on energy-efficiency, green infrastructure, and sustainable water management practices