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 2023, with particular emphasis on the Levelling Up & Regeneration Bill.
Public Consultations 2023
7th June 2023: Consultation on a Registration Scheme for Short-Term Lets in England
The government released a public consultation seeking feedback on three potential approaches to the creation of a registration scheme for short-term holiday lets, with the intention of controlling numbers of holiday lets and their associated impact on the local area. The registration scheme would be intended as an additional steps to help local areas to manage the further proliferation of short-term lets and support sustainable communities. The new permitted development rights would provide flexibility where short-term lets are not a local issue, and allow for this flexibility to be removed where there is a local concern.
2nd March 2023: Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill: Reforms to National Planning Policy
The government released a public consultation seeking views on revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The consultation scope also included the government’s proposed approach to preparing National Development Management Policies, potential policies to support levelling up, and how national planning policy is currently accessed by users.
7th February 2023: Class N3 Euro 6 Diesel HGV Charge Consultation
B&NES Council called for public views on changes to the of the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) Charging Order 2021. Proposals are to include Class N3 Euro 6 diesel HGVs, which would incur a £50 charge when they enter the charging scheme area. This charge would be supported by time-limited exemptions for businesses and taking place in a designated exemption zone.
💡 6th January 2023: Foxhill Parks Further Community Consultation
B&NES Council opened a public consultation on works to five parks as part of the second stage of community consultation regarding our plans to improve parks and green spaces in the Foxhill area of Bath. The consultation covered the proposed new park and woodland area to be created by Curo as part of the Mulberry Park development, as well as Entry Hill Open Space, Springfield Quarry, Hawthorn Grove, Springfield Park, and Backstones Open Space.