Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan
Deposit Draft January 2002

B3. Community facilities & services

INTRODUCTION

B3.1 One of the key principles of sustainable development is to meet the present and future social needs and aspirations of local communities through providing opportunities for and access to community services and facilities.

B3.2 Government guidance advises that planning proposals should aim to serve all sections of the community. The provision of community facilities and services are therefore vital to the social well being of the community. JRSP Policies 1 and 2 make reference for the need to ensure that a full range of facilities is provided in accessible locations.

B3.3 Community facilities that are known to or likely to attract large numbers of people should be located within urban areas. Schools, health centres, libraries and other service providers should be located in residential areas or local centres. New community facilities in rural areas should be focused within villages, where housing, employment and other services can be provided in close proximity, rather than in the open countryside. Community facilities, whether in urban or rural locations, should be well served by public transport wherever possible.

B3.4 This chapter deals with the land use implications of community and service provision in Bath and North East Somerset and sets out policies that seek to meet the needs of local communities.

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COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN B&NES

B3.5 Community services include a wide range of facilities crucial for the well being of the residents of Bath and North East Somerset. Provision includes community meeting places, youth centres, education facilities at schools and colleges, health care provided at hospitals, clinics and surgeries, libraries, places of worship and venues for community arts. Community services are provided by a range of public, private and voluntary organisations.

B3.6 Based on the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's (DETR) Indices of Local Deprivation (2000), there are a number of areas within Bath and North East Somerset that are significantly more socially and economically disadvantaged than others. Those most disadvantaged areas include Twerton, Southdown and London Road area in Bath, Radstock and parts of Keynsham. Whilst there are a number of Council initiatives involved in tackling deprivation, the provision and retention of services and facilities through the Local Plan process are especially important in helping achieve balanced communities and can be a means of addressing social exclusion.

B3.7 The Local Plan, therefore, has an important role to play in safeguarding existing facilities, allocating land for new facilities and services including the provision of facilities needed to serve new development. It can also play a significant part in ensuring sites for community facilities are in the most accessible locations.

Education and Health Services

B3.8 The retention and provision of education and health services are fundamental to maintaining a high quality of life and in combating social exclusion. These aspects of community provision are covered in more detail later in this chapter.

Social Services

B3.9 The Council's Social Services function is based at offices in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton. The service is responsible for a number of specialist areas including safeguarding and promoting the welfare of disabled and vulnerable adults, children and the elderly through a range of provision including community and day care, residential homes, family support, home and nursing care. Paras B3.69-B3.71 and Policy CF.5 deal more specifically with Community Care provision.

Emergency Services

B3.10 Bath and North East Somerset is served by the Avon and Somerset Police Authority with police stations located in Bath, Keynsham and Radstock. The Magistrates Courts in the District are located in Bath. Ambulance and Fire Services are also concentrated in the City and towns as well as Paulton and Chew Magna. No changes in the pattern of service are anticipated within the Plan period.

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MEETING PLACES

B3.11 Bath is fortunate in having a variety of community meeting places available to serve the needs of different geographical areas of the City and immediate surrounding areas. Accommodation ranges from small church rooms, community halls and the use of some schools to the larger more central venues such as the Pavilion and the Forum that serve a much wider area as well as the residents of Bath. The local authority Youth Centres also contribute to the provision of meeting places in Bath (see paras B3.20-B3.23).

B3.12 Meeting places in Keynsham are mainly located in and around the town centre. Venues include the Council’s Riverside Suite, the Fear Institute, the Key Centre, St John’s Parish Hall as well as other smaller buildings. In addition Keynsham’s two secondary schools provide facilities for community activities. A proposed development at Charlton Road/ St John’s Court for a food store (see Policies S.2 and GDS.1) includes provision of a new community facility. If approved and implemented, this community facility will further improve provision for Keynsham residents.

B3.13 Norton-Radstock is served by a number of community meeting places including the Town Hall, church halls of St John the Baptist and Central Methodist Church in Midsomer Norton and the Victoria Hall, Methodist Hall and the Youth Centre in Radstock. Facilities provided by the area’s three secondary schools are also regularly utilised. Provision has been improved with the opening of the Somer Centre on land adjoining the South Wansdyke Sports Centre.

B3.14 For the Westfield area, land continues to be safeguarded under Policy CF.2 for community use on land previously used for a doctor’s surgery. It is envisaged that a permanent building will be erected during the Plan period to offer alternative community provision.

B3.15 Welton has seen an increase in house building in recent years and, with limited facilities in this area, a need could arise for a new community meeting place to meet current deficiencies. Similarly, although a new community hall has been built for those in the Tyning/Springfield area, Clandown is still lacking in a community meeting place of its own.

B3.16 The majority of villages within the District have some form of meeting place for community activities, mainly village halls. Timsbury and Saltford have good meeting facilities. A new community hall has been provided at Peasedown St John in association with the major housing development that has greatly expanded the village. Peasedown St John also has a local authority Youth Centre. Bishop Sutton, Temple Cloud and Farrington Gurney all have new halls to replace their previously sub-standard facilities. The extension to the village hall at Paulton has helped to improve that community’s facilities.

B3.17 For its size, Chew Magna has relatively small community facilities: The Old School Room is its principal venue. Batheaston has no village hall as such but can make use of church halls and the new replacement Scout Hut. Bathford has a small but well used Parish Hall.

B3.18 Investigations continue to find alternative provision to replace the former Oriel Hall, Upper Swainswick that was demolished when the Batheaston Bypass was built. A suitable site is likely to be sought in the Larkhall area of Bath.

B3.19 Of the larger villages, High Littleton has no community hall but use is made of the hall attached to the Methodist Church. Provision of another community meeting place in this area could also serve the needs of Hallatrow.

B3.20 In terms of Youth Provision the Council’s Youth and Community Service seeks to work with young people between the ages of 11 and 25 with the 13-19 age range as a priority. It is primarily concerned with their personal and social development through various programmes and projects in a range of venues including Youth Centres, community halls and village halls as well as in their own environment e.g. parks, pubs and cafes where the building is not the focal point.

B3.21 In Bath youth provision is accommodated at the Riverside, Odd Down, Southside and Centre 69 Youth Clubs. Keynsham’s youth activities take place in Broadlands School sports hall. The Radstock Youth Centre serves the Norton-Radstock area.

B3.22 In terms of the villages there is a full time Youth Centre at Peasedown St John and a range of part time youth clubs across the District run by the Council some of which have their own buildings. Other youth provision in the District relies on voluntarily organisations and specialist activity clubs.

B3.23 The Council's Community Safety Action Plan includes a proposal to support the development of youth shelters and associated facilities as one means of reducing nuisance and disorder. The grounds of the Youth Centre at Peasedown St John has been identified as a suitable location for both a youth shelter and a skateboard facility.

B3.24 The Community Bus serving Bath and North East Somerset is a mobile facility, mainly Council funded, working throughout the District especially in areas lacking in community provision and in communities that are socially or geographically isolated.

B3.25 The Council will continue to monitor the provision of all types of community meeting places and respond positively where there is an acknowledged shortfall, where possible identifying suitable sites. The availability of bus services will be an important aspect of the monitoring process. Planning permission for new, extensions to or replacement community facilities will be determined against the criteria set out in Policy CF.4.

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COMMUNITY ARTS PROVISION

B3.26 Bath & North East Somerset has a range of venues for community arts provision largely based in Bath. The 850 seat historic Theatre Royal in central Bath and two large-scale venues, the Forum and the Pavilion are used for performing arts. There are also three small-scale (200 seats or less) performing arts venues (Ustinov, Windows, Rondo) in Bath.

B3.27 A variety of non-arts spaces in Bath are used for concerts including the Guildhall and Assembly Rooms to secondary schools, parks and community centres. However there is no large-scale concert venue in the District to accommodate, for example, a full symphony orchestra.

B3.28 There are currently six commercial cinema screens. Planning permission has also been granted for a multiplex cinema in central Bath. Currently there is no cinema provision outside central Bath. Applications for commercial leisure development will be considered within the context of Policy SR.7.

B3.29 The two professional public galleries in Bath - Victoria Art Gallery and Hot Bath Gallery - are complemented by six smaller commercial galleries.

B3.30 Schools and community halls throughout the District are used sporadically for amateur and occasionally professional performances.

B3.31 Although some aspects of arts provision appear well catered for, there is still a need to provide venues for arts events and activities especially outside Bath. There is an overall shortage of affordable studio provision and exhibition space for local artists. There is also a need for large studio spaces that can be used for educational and community arts uses.

B3.32 Similarly there is no middle-scale venue (350 – 650 seats) for contemporary performing arts, especially dance, and lack of a centre for Cultural Cinema; and no appropriate multi-purpose professional arts facilities in Norton Radstock or Keynsham.

B3.33 These shortfalls in provision as outlined above are identified in the Council’s Arts Strategy which encourages their development and provision. Development proposals for new and replacement arts facilities or enhancement of existing facilities will be considered in the context of Policy CF.4 below or Policy SR.7 if the proposal relates to commercial leisure development.

PLACES OF WORSHIP

B3.34 Places of worship provide an important focal point for the local community and a base for a range of other local activities. Although a number of churches and chapels have closed for worship in recent decades, some denominations have experienced an upsurge in congregation sizes leading to alternative venues being sought to better meet their requirements. The Council will support such provision providing it is sensitively located so as not to be detrimental to residential amenity and should meet the other criteria in Policy CF.4 and other relevant policies in the Plan.

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LIBRARIES

B3.35 The Council’s Library service is responsible for managing eight permanent libraries in the District. Three of these are in Bath, namely the Central Library at the Podium, Moorland Road and Weston Village. The others are located in Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Saltford and Paulton. This is supplemented by a regular mobile library service that is particularly important for rural areas.

B3.36 Library provision in the District is kept under review through the Annual Library Plan. It is envisaged that the libraries at Radstock and Moorland Road will need replacing in the future but as yet there are no firm proposals. The mobile library service is to be improved with the addition of another vehicle and the review of existing routes.

B3.37 Any proposals to relocate or replace a library or for any other improvements to existing provision will be supported. Planning applications will be considered within the context of Policies CF.1 and CF.4, as appropriate.

SAFEGUARDING COMMUNITY FACILITIES

B3.38 Land and buildings in community use are a valuable local resource. If they are displaced by redevelopment or change of use then it is unlikely that they will return to community use. This could mean that future requirements for community use might lead to pressure to develop facilities on previously undeveloped land in less accessible locations. This would be contrary to Government guidance which places importance on facilities being in accessible locations for the community they serve that reduce the need to travel especially by car.

B3.39 When considering planning applications involving the loss or change of use of buildings in community use, it is crucial to ascertain whether an alternative community use can be found for the land or building(s) concerned. Policy CF.1 seeks to prevent the loss of valuable community facilities. As an exception to this, current Government guidance is advising Councils to consider disposing of any school buildings surplus to requirements. Any loss to the overall community provision, other than education, will be taken into account when considering development proposals involving the loss of education facilities (see also paras B3.50-B3.54).

B3.40 The Council will also, where appropriate, promote the dual and multi-use of facilities as well as keep the overall provision under review.

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ALLOCATION OF LAND FOR COMMUNITY MEETING USE

B3.41 Land is allocated at Westfield, Norton Radstock under Policy CF.2 to meet the known requirements for community facilities (see para B3.14 above). Community facilities are also proposed as part of the scheme proposed on land south of Charlton Park, Midsomer Norton as set out in Policy GDS.1.

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EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

B3.42 B&NES Change 21, ‘Vision for a Better Future’, as outlined in the Overall Strategy, seeks to ensure that a range of educational opportunities will be accessible to all members of the community, regardless of age or location. This is also a key objective of the Local Plan.

Primary and Secondary Education

B3.43 There are a total of 68 state primary schools (includes infants and juniors): 25 of these are within Bath, 6 in Keynsham, and 10 in Norton-Radstock. The remaining 27 serve the other settlements. State secondary school education is concentrated in Bath (7), Keynsham (2) and Norton-Radstock (3), whilst Chew Valley School serves the rural western area. The independent schools in the District are either within or on the outskirts of Bath.

Special School Provision

B3.44 There are currently five special schools in the District with a further six special units attached to mainstream primary and secondary schools. The Council's Education Service is undertaking a review of special education provision in the City of Bath. One outcome of this review may be that a new site is required for a special school. Should the Council’s Education Service identify any need to upgrade or replace the existing provision in order to meet future special educational requirements within the Plan period, then any development proposals will be considered within the context of Policy CF.4.

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Child Care Provision

B3.45 Bath and North East Somerset is also responsible for two day nurseries, one in Bath and the other in Keynsham. There are another 34 privately run nurseries throughout the District. This provision is supplemented by a number of crèche facilities, play groups, play schemes and registered child minders.

B3.46 The Council’s Childcare Audit 2000 –2001 has identified various areas of childcare need across the District. Whilst existing local authority schools and nurseries will be able to make up some of the shortfall in provision, the Council will seek contributions for additional provision or enhancement of existing provision in association with new development proposals (see paras B3.72-B3.73 and Policy CF.6).

Further Education

B3.47 City of Bath College located in the centre of Bath also provides full and part time further and higher education courses. Similarly, Norton-Radstock College of Further Education provides full and part-time courses in the southern part of the District. The Council's Education Service is developing a strategy for the provision of education for 16-19 year olds across the District. The strategy is likely to lead to a review of existing post-16 education. A possible outcome of this review may mean that additional sites are required or that existing sites are no longer used for post-16 education.

Higher Education

B3.48 University of Bath is a purpose built development located on the outskirts of the City. It currently has 7,930 students. Future plans for the University include the development of an Institute for Sport, conference facilities, extended academic facilities and further student residences. A Master Plan and Transport Strategy for the site and an assessment of the site’s environmental capacity was endorsed by the Council in March 2001.

B3.49 Bath Spa University College is based in the grounds of the historic Newton Park at Newton St Loe and has a further campus at Sion Hill/Somerset Place in Bath. The College has around 4,000 students and provides a range of full and part time pre-degree study, undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Although within the Green Belt the College is identified as a Major Developed Site under Policy GB.3 which will allow opportunities for the improvement of facilities under the terms of the policy.

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Development Proposals

B3.50 Although the Council’s Education Service is being advised to consider the disposal of surplus school buildings (see para B3.39), school roll numbers could increase significantly as a result of new housing development during the Plan period; there could be changes in the national curriculum and there may be other competitive pressures (especially for colleges and independent schools) to acquire additional or replacement facilities.

B3.51 This could result in educational establishments coming forward with proposals to redevelop or expand their facilities. In principle these will be supported provided the proposals conform with Policy CF.4 and other relevant policies in the Plan. Depending on the specific nature of the scheme, the Council will encourage the development of facilities that can be made available for wider community use and will seek to prevent the loss of facilities that are already being used for other community activities e.g. for pre-school or meetings.

B3.52 PPG13 ‘Transport’ advises that proposals for new and expanded schools should be accompanied by a school travel plan which promotes safe cycle and walking routes, restricts parking and car access at and around the school as well as changing facilities and cycle storage.

B3.53 There have been problems with temporary classrooms being on site longer than originally intended. In cases where there is a temporary need, the erection of a temporary classroom will be considered, subject to its satisfactory design, scale and siting, and provided it is removed when no longer required i.e. when there is no longer a specific need for the building or it is replaced by a permanent building.

B3.54 New buildings for educational purposes should be designed to high standards taking account of the surroundings in which they are to be located. All proposals will need to meet the criteria in Policy CF.4 before permission is granted.

ALLOCATION OF LAND FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES

B3.55 The Council’s Education Service has identified the improvements needed to existing primary school provision. Much can be achieved on or within existing sites but for others, additional land will be required. This mainly relates to school building but in some cases, playing field provision is required. Policy CF.3 therefore allocates land for this purpose where such a need has been identified.

B3.56 The Council's Education Service has recently undertaken a review of primary school provision in the Radstock area. The Education Committee has decided to replace Radstock Infant School and Clandown CE Primary School with a new school in Radstock. Investigations into identifying an appropriate site are underway. The Council has also decided to merge St. Nicholas CE Infant School and St. Nicholas CE Junior School creating a new primary school on the current St. Nicholas Junior School site.

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HEALTH FACILITIES

B3.57 Health provision in the District is the principally the responsibility of the Bath and North East Somerset Primary Care Trust (PCT). The PCT is a statutory body responsible for planning and providing local primary care health services and many of the community services in B&NES.

Hospitals

B3.58 The Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath serves a catchment area of 500,000 population. This acute general hospital has an accident and emergency department and 14 surgical theatres. Hospital staff provide out-patient services in eleven community hospitals including Paulton.

B3.59 The RUH is undergoing extensive refurbishment and redevelopment. The aim is to significantly improve its facilities to meet the demands of modern health care.

B3.60 The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Trust is situated in the centre of Bath and provides specialist care services for rheumatology and neuro-rehabilitation.

B3.61 St Martins Hospital provides physical and mental care for the elderly. During the Plan period the hospital intends to transfer some of its services to the Royal United Hospital, consolidating the remaining on part of the existing site.

B3.62 Keynsham Hospital provides services for the young disabled and elderly as well as outpatient physiotherapy and day hospital facilities. It is expected to continue to provide health care during the Plan period.

B3.63 Paulton Community Hospital provides an accident and emergency department as well as a range of other services. Since 1997 services have been consolidated on one site following a rationalisation and modernisation programme. It will continue to serve as a community hospital.

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Other Health Facilities

B3.64 Bath has a comprehensive range of health care services to cater for its inhabitants and beyond. There is a health clinic in Keynsham. A dental clinic in Radstock and both towns also have group practice doctors' surgeries. The rural areas are served by practices in a number of the larger settlements or travel to Bath and the towns. Chemists and dentists are available in the towns and larger villages whilst opticians are represented primarily in Bath, Keynsham and Norton-Radstock.

B3.65 As with other community facilities health care facilities are an important local resource and their loss should be resisted unless there is no longer a demonstrable need for the particular facility or service (Policy CF.1). The increase in residential development may put pressure on existing resources and result in the need for additional facilities. With Social Services working more closely with the Health Authority there may be opportunities for the joint use of buildings and sites. Proposals for new health care facilities will be considered under Policy CF.4

PROVISION OF NEW OR REPLACEMENT COMMUNITY FACILITIES

B3.66 Planning applications for new community facilities or extensions to existing facilities which meet the current and future needs of the local community will be considered sympathetically provided they are in easily accessible locations, wherever possible, by a range of transport modes including cycling, walking, buses and within or immediately adjacent to settlements.

B3.67 The B&NES Community Safety Strategy 2000-2001 Implementation Plan advocates there should be safety advice in all development guidelines e.g. safer routes to buildings, car parks, bicycle storage and that this advice should be reflected in consideration of all proposals for community facilities.

B3.68 Favourable consideration will be given to the building’s capacity for accommodating more than one use or activity depending on the nature of the proposal and the Council will encourage management agreements that facilitate this.

B3.69 Policy CF.4 sets out criteria against which proposals for community facilities will be considered. Any proposals in the Green Belt will be considered in the context of Policies GB.1 and GB.2. Policy CF.6 deals with the issue of developer contributions.

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COMMUNITY CARE FACILITIES

B3.70 The Council produces a three yearly Community Care Plan and outlines the type of care provision that can be arranged in the District. Its principal aim is to provide a range of services which enable vulnerable sections of the community to live independently in their own homes as far as possible. Services available include home care, community meals, occupational therapy, day services and residential care. The main client groups are disabled people, those with learning difficulties, mental health problems, those who misuse drugs/alcohol those with HIV/AIDS and the elderly.

B3.71 The Council is currently responsible for 8 residential homes for the elderly and there are a further 44 independently run residential homes in the District.

B3.72 New residential care homes or day care facilities that are likely to be required during the Plan period will be considered against the criteria in Policy CF.5 and other relevant policies in the Plan. Other community care facilities will be considered under Policy CF.4.

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DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTIONS

B3.73 In certain circumstances there may be a need to provide for community, education and/or health facilities in association with new development proposals. This is likely where the scale of the development gives rise to new community, educational or health care needs requiring additional provision or enhancement of existing provision or the replacement of the displaced existing facilities. In such cases, the Council will assess the availability of existing facilities to serve the development.

B3.74 Where replacement, additional or enhanced facilities are required, the developer will be expected to make provision directly related in scale and kind to the need generated by the development. This can either be in the form of direct provision by the developer or where this is not possible or appropriate, in the form of a financial contribution in accordance with the guidance contained in Circular 1/97 ‘Planning Obligations’.

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OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Pubic Houses

B3.75 Another important aspect of community life is the local public house particularly in rural areas and some urban locations where access to other community meeting places may be limited. Loss of this valuable resource including associated buildings, which are also often used as venues for social activities, can have a detrimental impact on both the economy of the settlement and the social well being of the community.

B3.76 In a changing economic climate many pubs may be also able to provide additional community facilities or services such as a cash back facility, and public information and Information Technology (IT) access. In order to ensure public houses are not lost to other uses, especially if it is the only one in the settlement or locality, any proposals for their redevelopment or change of use will be considered against Policy CF.7.

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ALLOTMENTS

B3.77 The nine statutory allotments in Bath together with those at Haydon and Radstock are complemented by other non-statutory allotments scattered throughout the District. Bath, Keynsham and Norton–Radstock currently have the highest concentration of allotments. There are also a few in private ownership.

B3.78 There have been concerns in the past over the loss of allotment land throughout the District to other uses and development. Although the trend for allotment gardening generally appears stable with supply meeting demand, any gradual erosion of this valuable resource should be resisted, as once lost, this land is unlikely to be replaced.

B3.79 Allotments are not only an important leisure resource but also should be recognised for their value as open spaces especially in urban areas, for their contribution to sustainable development objectives, biodiversity, healthy living, community development and their potential for educational opportunities.

B3.80 Policy CF.8 sets out the Council’s approach to the retention of existing allotments and encourages the provision of new allotment sites should demand increase during the Plan period unless otherwise allowed in the Plan.

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Cemeteries

B3.81 In addition to the many churchyards in the District there are a number of cemeteries located in or near Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Paulton, Peasedown St. John, Whitchurch, Combe Hay, East Harptree, Freshford and Wellow.

B3.82 The Council owns and manages the Haycombe Cemetery on the edge of Bath and Harptree Cemetery and is responsible for the maintenance for 30 closed cemeteries. Others are owned and managed by the Town and Parish Councils or Parochial Church Councils.

B3.83 Keynsham Town Council has opened the extension to its cemetery at Durley Hill with an estimated capacity to meet demand until around 2020–2025.

B3.84 Haycombe Cemetery is likely to require additional land in the next few years. Land to the north east of the existing site is therefore safeguarded for future cemetery provision with capacity to beyond the Plan period. Land is also set aside for an extension to the existing cemetery at Eckweek Lane in Peasedown St John. Both cemetery extensions are shown on the Proposals Map and safeguarded under Policy CF.9.

B3.85 Investigations suggest the cemeteries at Batheaston, Timsbury and Whitchurch may reach capacity by the end of the Plan period although the proposed extension to Haycombe Cemetery will be able to meet projected needs.

B3.86 Cemeteries are traditionally tranquil, relatively undisturbed areas, thus providing suitable habitats for wildlife and other nature conservation interests. Any further proposals or extensions to existing cemeteries not already identified will be considered in the context of relevant policies in the Plan including those relating to nature conservation.

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