Bath & North East Somerset Council - Regional Planning Policy

Regional Planning Policy

Regional Planning Policy

In July 2010 Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) were revoked by central Government. Following a legal challenge this revocation was quashed. Therefore, for the time being, Regional Planning Guidance Note 10 for the South West continues to form part of the development plan for Bath & North East Somerset. The draft RSS for the South West that was under preparation has not been adopted and does not form part of the statutory development plan. The Government has announced its intention to abolish RSSs through the Localism Bill.

Draft RSS published by the South West Regional Assembly in June 2006 for public consultation. Bath & North East Somerset Council submitted representations on the draft RSS.
Examination in Public (EiP) into the draft RSS held beforea Panel of Inspectors – commenced April 2007. Bath & North East Somerset Council submitted statements to and particpated in the EiP.
Single Issue EiP into Review of Gypsy & Traveller Pitch Requirements held March 2008. Bath & North East Somerset Council submitted statements to and particpated in the EiP.
EiP Panel reports published January 2008 (main report) and April 2008 (Review of Additional Pitch Requirements for Gypsies and Travellers Report)
Secretary of State considered both Panel Reports and published her response and Proposed Changes to draft RSS in July 2008 for consultation. Bath & North East Somerset Council responded to consultation on the Proposed Changes in Octboer 2008.
In April 2009 the Secretary of State (GOSW) published additions to her schedule of proposed changes to clarify her response to the Panel Report. These additions relate to the Panel’s recommendations on the area of search for an urban extension to Bath. A link to these additions can be found below.

For further information on the RSS please see the Government Office for the South West website (external site).

The Council’s response at the various stages of RSS preparation and supporting studies can be accessed by following the links below:

Council Representations on Draft RSS

1. Bath and North East Somerset Representations on the Draft RSS (PDF - 155kb)

2. Bath and North East Somerset Schedule of detailed Comments on the Draft RSS (PDF - 2,975kb)

Council EiP Statements and Supporting Studies

A. B&NES Statement Matter 4.1 (PDF - 108kb)

B. B&NES supporting document list for 4.1 (PDF - 26kb)

1.Bath & North East Somerset Business Plan (Ernst & Young 2006) - Available on request from the Planning Policy Department, 01225 477548

2. Methodology for capacity studies (PDF - 227kb)

3. RSS Urban Capacity Results (PDF - 346kb)

4. RSS Rural Area Housing Capacity (PDF - 52kb)

5. Employment Development Capacitiesb (PDF - 31kb)

5a. Employment Development Cap Annex 1 (PDF - 151kb)

6. Stage 1: Review of Broad Areas of Search for Urban Extension (for GBSTS) (B&NES Council, June 2005) - Available on request from the Planning Policy Department, 01225 477548

7. Landscape Heritage Study south and southwest of Bath (PDF - 3,165kb)

8. Urban Ext Env Cap Appraisal Report (PDF - 2,832kb)

9. Strategic Sustainability Assessment of Potential Urban Extensions (within Draft RSS Areas of Search) (B&NES Council, September 2006) - Available on request from the Planning Policy Department, 01225 477548

10. AONB Bath Urban Ext Env Cap Appraisal (PDF - 454kb)

11. SSA of locations surrounding Bath (PDF - 669kb)

12. Background Paper on importance of Cotswolds AONB (PDF - 65kb)

Representations on RSS Proposed Changes and Supporting Studies

1. Council response letter to RSS Proposed Changes (PDF - 28kb)

2. Council response to RSS Proposed Changes- Executive Summary (PDF - 31kb)

3. RSS Proposed Changes- Council Response (PDF - 253kb)

4. Ernst and Young Commentary on RSS Proposed Changes (PDF - 134kb)

Secretary of State’s Additional Schedule of Proposed Changes and Reasons

Additional Schedule of the Secretary of State's Proposed Changes and Reasons (PDF - 1mb)

Local residents can read the full announcement by the Secretary of State by visiting the Government Office for South West website

Bath & North East Somerset Council - Response to additional changes 26.05.09 (PDF - 11kb)