Bath Preservation Trust regularly responds to public consultations for local and national changes to policy and legislation as well as proposed changes with potential to affect the special appearance and character of Bath. We additionally welcome the opportunity to be involved in pre-application consultations for planning applications and development schemes so we can have an input throughout the design process. Compiled below is a summary of our involvement in national and local public consultations in 2022, with particular emphasis on the Milsom Quarter masterplan and the Local Plan Launch Document.
Public Consultations 2022
15th November 2022: Local Plan Launch Document Consultation
B&NES Council called for public views on the approach being taken on their preparation of a new Local Plan for Bath and North East Somerset to 20242, starting with the content of this launch document. The launch document sets out the scope of the new Local Plan, including the Council’s primary ambitions and other important issues.
14th October 2022: Decent Homes Standard Public Consultation
The consultation was for views on the introduction and enforcement of a Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector in England. The Decent Homes Standard was originally introduced in 2001 within the social rented sector, bringing numbers of non-compliant social homes down from 39% to 13% by 2020. The Standard for private rentals would include the removal of requirements for kitchens and bathrooms to be of a certain age, and reflect the existing requirement to meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
3rd October 2022: B&NES Street Trees Project Consultation
The consultation proposes the planting of new street trees across sites in Bath, Keynsham, Saltford, Peasedown St John, Paulton and Camerton. The project forms part of B&NES’ wider commitment to increase tree cover and plant 100,000 trees within the district by May 2023, in collaboration with partners and communities.
27th July 2022: Kingsmead Square Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) Consultation
The consultation proposes an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to test how vehicle restrictions through Kingsmead Square would work over a 6 month trial period. This would result in the closure of Kingsmead Square to all vehicles excluding emergency vehicles and bicycles between 11am and midnight, to prioritise pedestrians and sustainable transport users within the city centre. Measures would also include the creation of new disabled parking bays and loading bays on Monmouth Street.
15th July 2022: Milsom Quarter Masterplan Consultation
A public consultation has been launched for the ‘Milsom Quarter’ masterplan, a document that sets out the vision for the future of Milsom Quarter as “Bath and the South West’s fashion destination.” Proposals include the creation of 180 new homes across underutilised upper floors on Milsom Street and Broad Street, public realm improvements and traffic restrictions to prioritise sustainable transport, and areas of new residential and commercial development in Broad Street car park and the Cattle Market. Plans include the relocation of the Fashion Museum to the Old Post Office on Northgate Street.
26th May 2022: Milsom Street Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) Consultation
The consultation proposes an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to test how the Milsom Street bus gate would work over a 6 month trial period. This would result in the closure of Milsom Street to all vehicles excluding buses, emergency vehicles, and bicycles between 10am and 6pm, to prioritise pedestrians and sustainable transport users within the city centre. Measures would also include the creation of new disabled parking bays on Quiet Street and New Bond Street.
25th February 2022: Sulis Down Phases 3 & 4 Public Consultation
Phases 3 & 4 propose up to an additional 300 homes on the Sulis Down plateau. This is in addition to the 171 homes permitted as part of Phase 1, currently in delivery. The scheme proposes a full application for the extension of the ‘spine’ road from Combe Hay Lane through the garden setting of Sulis Manor, a Non-Designated Heritage Asset, to be combined with an outline application for the layout and density of the Phases 3 & 4 sites. A planning application is anticipated by Spring 2022.
7th February 2022: B&NES Council Public Consultation on the ‘Journey to Net Zero’ Plan
The Journey to Net Zero plan outlines the current path of B&NES Council working towards carbon neutrality. This includes current schemes to reduce emissions and encourage active travel, such as the Clean Air Zone and Liveable Neighbourhoods, as well as possible future proposals and next steps. The document aims to bring B&NES Council’s approach together into one cohesive strategy for working towards carbon neutrality by 2030.