Our Museums
Bath Preservation Trust

No. 1 Royal Crescent

Explore life in Georgian Bath in our historic house Musuem.

1 Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LR
Visit

The Herschel Museum

The home the Herschels, who were distinguished astronomers and talented musicians.

19 New King Street, Bath, BA1 2BL
Visit

The Museum of Bath Architecture

Explore the rich architectural history of Bath

The Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel, The Vineyards, Bath, BA1 5NA
Visit

Beckford’s Tower

The only surviving example of William Beckford’s great architectural achievements

Lansdown Road, Bath, BA1 9BH
Visit

Environs Committee

BPT aims to influence local, regional and national planning matters, not only where this concerns the City of Bath and the World Heritage Site, but its wider landscape environs. We do this through campaigning and regular consultation with local Parish Council representatives to identify key issues experienced outside of Bath, and we continue to offer expert advice on planning applications, planning policy and legislation, and other matters affecting the World Heritage Site and its setting, designated as part of the Bristol & Bath Green Belt and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Environs Sub-Committee is attended by representatives of all the Parish Councils which border the city boundary and when required is advised by regional representatives of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), the Cotswold Conservation Board, and the National Trust. The Committee meets every two months to discuss and consider current issues and relevant planning applications from each parish. We collaboratively consider how best BPT might support the Parish Councils in responding to planning applications or planning consultations, or campaigning on relevant topics. Meetings are attended by Alex Sherman (BPT Chief Executive), Joanna Robinson (BPT Design, Conservation & Sustainability Manager) and Alex Best (BPT Planning and Conservation Assistant).

The members of the Environs Sub-Committee are:

  • Douglas Creed – Chairman of the Committee and Kelston Representative
  • George Ardrey – Bathampton Representative
  • Wendy Chambers – Bathford Representative
  • John Rippin – Charlcombe Representative
  • Malcom Austwick – Combe Hay Representative
  • Robert Law – Englishcombe Representative
  • John Bravin – Corston Representative
  • Richard Tibbles – Freshford Representative
  • Des Wighton – Monkton Combe Representative
  • Anne Ward – South Stoke Representative
  • Alex Sherman – CEO, in attendance
  • Joanna Robinson – Design, Conservation and Sustainability Manager, in attendance
  • Rosemary Snook – minutes, in attendance

General Planning Guidance

BPT offers support and advice to residents across the parishes, and recognise the significance of outlying villages not only as part of the distinctive landscape setting of Bath as a World Heritage Site, but as heritage assets in their own right and part of the Green Belt and Cotswolds AONB.

  • You can find out more about the boundaries of the Green Belt/Cotswolds AONB here.
  • You can find out if your village is a designated conservation area here. All adopted Conservation Area Character Appraisals (CACAs) are available on the B&NES Council website.
  • The Parish Councils are considered to be ‘statutory consultees’ in the planning process. This means that there is a duty for them to be informed of any planning applications within their parish, and they have the right to formally respond as part of the consultation process.
  • You can find out more about how B&NES Council works with the Parish Councils here.
  • For further information on planning or other key issues and priorities within the parishes, check out the B&NES Parish Toolkit.
  • Development within parishes and villages should align with any adopted local design guides that may indicate the design approach or development needs of a particular area. You can find all drafted/adopted Neighbourhood Plans here. You can find all adopted Village Design Statements here.

Unauthorised Development & Enforcement

  • Should you be concerned by potentially unauthorised development in your local area, we recommend that you get in touch with us at conservation@bptrust.org.uk or contact your local Parish Council representatives for further support and advice. You can also reach out to your Ward Councillors where you have any planning concerns.
  • We offer further general advice on whether you might need planning permission for works to a building, as well as an overview of the enforcement process. This is available here. The RTPI’s Planning Enforcement Handbook for England provides an in-depth overview of how enforcement works in the UK.
  • If you want to report something to enforcement, you can do so on the B&NES Council website or by emailing planning_enforcement@bathnes.gov.uk