Bath & North East Somerset Council is seeking residents’
views on locally important buildings and on planning policies
relating to existing houses in the Green Belt. Two new
documents are out for consultation from 10 April – 22 May. Both
supplement local planning policies outlined in the Bath & North
East Somerset Local Plan.
The draft Locally Important Buildings Supplementary Planning
document gives details on the selection criteria for locally
important buildings and proposes how buildings will be nominated
and considered for inclusion on the local list.
Once the document has been agreed and adopted, parish councils,
amenity societies and the general public will be able to nominate
buildings or structures to be considered for local listing. The
local list will complement the existing statutory list of
nationally important buildings, of architectural and historic
interest.
Councillor Bryan Chalker, the Council’s Historic Buildings
Champion, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council welcomes
this new document as it provides the opportunity to raise the
profile of, and give recognition to, buildings and structures of
local interest. In particular it provides the opportunity for local
residents and groups, who have detailed knowledge of their area and
history, to nominate buildings they feel merit consideration.“The
conservation of our historic buildings can boost pride in a local
area, help preserve and enhance the historic environment for
existing and future generations, and makes sense in terms of
sustainability. I look forward to seeing the responses from local
communities and what buildings and structures they consider of
value in their local area.”
The document regarding Existing Dwellings in the Green Belt aims
to provide further information and guidance on the approach the
Council, as a Local Planning Authority, should take regarding
extensions to dwellings in the Green Belt, and the circumstances
under which replacement dwellings will be acceptable. This document
aims to provide clearer advice and guidance for the benefit of
members of the public, planning officers and Council Members.
The Bristol-Bath Green Belt was designated in 1966. The Green
Belt in Bath & North East Somerset covers just over 70% of the
total area of the district. A significant number of planning
applications for extensions to existing residential properties in
the Green Belt and a lesser number of applications for replacement
dwellings are dealt with by the Council each year. The majority of
these are householder applications are submitted by the general
public.
Cllr Charles Gerrish, Cabinet Member for Planning said: “These
two important documents will form part of Bath & North East
Somerset Council’s future planning policy. I welcome the
opportunity that the public now has to input into their
preparation.”
Copies of the documents can be viewed in all public libraries in
the district and in Council offices. Alternatively, they can be
viewed on the Council’s website: www.bathnes.gov.uk/ldf
The Council welcomes comments from the public or interested groups.
A drop-in session has also been arranged for Wednesday 23 April,
from 9am – 1pm at the Council’s Planning Office, Trimbridge House,
Trim Street, Bath.
The Council can also be contacted by phone, email or letter with
any comments or queries about the documents: Planning Services,
Bath and North East Somerset Council, Trimbridge House, Trim
Street, Bath BA1 2DP; Planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk
; Tel: 01225 477548.
Following consideration of the comments received and a formal
adoption process it is anticipated that these new supplementary
planning documents will come into force from August
2008.
