SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT APPRAISAL OF THE BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET LOCAL PLAN ISSUES REPORT

FOREWARD

The Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Local Plan Issues Report was published for consultation in October 1999. Chapter 8 of the Report sets out the proposal to undertake a sustainable development appraisal of the Local Plan process.

The purpose of the appraisal is to assess the extent to which Local Plan strategies, policies and proposals meet sustainable development objectives.

A working group was established to formulate an appraisal methodology within the context of available guidance and best practice. The resulting methodology, set out in this document, was approved by the Local Plan Project Group in June 1999.

The appraisal of the Issues Report took place in November / December 1999 and was undertaken by a group of officers from different Council services who had no previous involvement in the formulation of the methodology. The results were endorsed for public consultation in February 2000. They are published in this summary document which comprises an outline of the appraisal methodology; summaries of the impacts of each strategy; definitions of the appraisal criteria; a guidance note for those undertaking the appraisal; and the matrix of results and commentaries. The document is available on the Council’s Web-site www.bathnes.gov.uk.

Now is your chance to comment on the methodology and results. The appraisal has been published for consultation for a period of six weeks extending from 27 March to 5 May 2000.  NB THE DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS HAS NOW PASSED

The results of the appraisal and consultations will help to inform the preparation of the Deposit Draft of the Local Plan.

Comments on the appraisal should be sent to:

Simon De Beer
Planning Policy,
Bath and North East Somerset Council,
Trimbridge House,
Trim Street,
Bath,
BA1 2DP

Email: Simon_DeBeer@bathnes.gov.uk
Tel: 01225 477000