Local Plan - List of Revisions

B5.6

B5.6A/A

Editorial changes

B&NES Bath & North East Somerset Context

B5.7

B5.7/A

Editorial changes

B&NES Bath & North East Somerset contains a network of centres that serve not only residents of the District, but also the wider area.

B5.8

B5.8/A

2965/B8

Bath City centre is a major shopping destination. Retail activity is primarily focussed in the central shopping area, which lies within the wider City centre. The central shopping area serves meets the convenience and comparison shopping needs of the local population, is a regional retail and leisure centre and also contains a number of international tourist attractions. As such it contains local needs shops, national comparison multiples and a range of small independent specialist shops, which it is important to retain as they contribute to the uniqueness of the centre.

B5.12

B5.12/B

606/B8

Midsomer Norton town centre serves the daily shopping needs of Norton-Radstock residents and those villages in the southern part of B&NES Bath & North East Somerset and northern Mendip District. The town has a good range of convenience shopping facilities, both within the town centre and out-of-centre at Thicket Mead (which lies within the Parish of Paulton). The town centre also provides for a range of day to day comparison goods shopping and residents tend to travel to Bath to meet their other shopping needs.

B5.14

B5.14/A

578/B58, 2686/B1

The centre of Radstock town centre provides a small shopping area that is dominated by a large general store (Radco). The centre serves two shopping roles. The parade of shops and services acts as a local centre for Radstock residents and the Radco store serves a wider catchment area for food and comparison shopping. The centre currently has a high proportion of units in use for services other than retail and the vacancy rate is relatively high.

B5.22

B5.22/A

2686/B1

Based on JRSP policy 38, the C&TCS and local factors outlined above the hierarchy of centres proposed in the Local Plan is set out in policy S.1. The designation of these centres relates to the shopping policies of the Local Plan and their boundaries, which are shown on the Proposals Map, are defined accordingly. The Council is seeking to sustain and enhance the attractiveness of all of these centres.

Policy S.1

S.1/E

578/B58

Bathampton, Batheaston, Chew Magna, Paulton, Peasedown St. John, Saltford, Timsbury and Whitchurch.

PM Inset 19b

578/B58, 2686/B1

Delete ‘District Shopping Centre & designate a Town Centre Shopping Area in Radstock Town Centre.

PM Insets 31 & 31a

S.1/G

564/B12, 573/B4, 878/B13

PM Insets 31 & 31a

S.1/H

Add Local Shopping Centre designation at Widcombe.

PM Inset 31a

S.1/I

591/B43 (Empire Hotel)

5001/B79 (Pulteney Weir)

Table 1

TAB1/A

Editorial change

Table 1: Projected Retail Floorspace Requirements for B&NES Bath & North East Somerset …

B5.25

B5.25/A

721/B24

Long term expenditure growth trends are uncertain. and the longer term impact of innovations such as Internet shopping on floorspace requirements is unclear. The retail sector is dynamic and the impact of alternative forms of trading is unclear. Internet shopping is expected to account for an increasing proportion of total expenditure. However, at this time it is not known how great this increase will be nor what impact it will have on future retail floorspace requirements. Therefore, floorspace projections beyond 2006 will need to be made in a future review of the Local Plan when greater accuracy should be possible. The Plan has not identified specific sites to meet post 2006 requirements. However, should such proposals come forward they will be considered in the context of the policies in this chapter.

Policy S.2

S.2/A

5010/B50

B5.30

B5.30/B

2962/B1

B5.31

B5.31/A

2965/B11

The majority of the projected requirement for high street comparison shopping floorspace to 2006 (see Table 1) should be met in Bath’s central shopping area as the main destination within the District for this type of shopping. The redevelopment of the Southgate Area should provide the bulk of this additional floorspace, thereby helping to enhance the vitality and viability of this part of the City centre.

B5.32

B5.32/A

578/B58, 2686/B1

In addition there may be scope for some small-scale comparison shopping provision elsewhere within the central shopping area or, if no sites are available, on the edge of the central shopping area. Other opportunities for comparison shopping provision in Keynsham, and Midsomer Norton and Radstock town centres may come forward, although no sites are identified in the Plan.

B5.35

B5.35/A

564/B29

The sequential approach gives preference to city and town centre sites; followed by edge-of-centre sites; sites in district and local centres; and only then out-of-centre sites that are accessible by a variety of means of transport. An edge-of-centre site is one that is within easy walking distance of the primary shopping area, which, dependent on topography and other factors, is about 200-300 metres. If an out-of-centre site is proposed it should also be in an area that best meets an identified deficiency in provision.

New para B5.35A

B3.35A/A

5001/B181

In applying the sequential approach, the relevant centres in which to search for sites will depend on the nature and scale of the proposed development and the catchment that the development seeks to serve.

B5.39

B5.39/A

2348/B2, 3243/B2, 3286/B3, 3287/B3

Within Bath the restricted opportunities in the central shopping area mean that bulky goods provision would best be made in an edge-of-centre or if no suitable sites are available an out-of-centre location. In addition retailers will need to be flexible with regard to shop formats. Whilst the scope and general location for some provision has been identified no sites are allocated at this stage. A number of options require further investigation, including potential for innovative solutions within the Western Riverside general development site. In the meantime proposals for this type of shop will be considered under policy S.4.

Policy S.4

S.4/A

3243/B3

B5.41

B5.41/A

746/B12, 2985/B1, 2986/B3

A diversity of uses and attractions within a city or town centre can help to maintain and enhance its vitality and viability. Uses that are complementary to shopping (A1 Use Class), such as banks, building societies, restaurants, cafes and pubs (A2 and A3 Use Classes) can reinforce all day activity and increase attractiveness. Museums, libraries and leisure facilities (D1 and D2 uses), and as well as residential use e.g. through the creation of dwellings above shops, can also play a useful role (see Policy HG.12 in the Housing Section).

B5.45

B5.45/A

578/B58

B5.46

B5.46/A

746/B12, 2985/B1, 2986/B3

Outside the primary shopping frontage, but within the shopping areas of the City and town centres, a greater diversification of uses is appropriate. The introduction of other complementary A2, A3, D1 and D2 uses may help to make the centre more attractive.

S.5

S.5/A

578/B58

Proposals for development in the primary shopping frontages for Bath, Keynsham, and Midsomer Norton and Radstock defined on the Proposals Map which result in the loss of a shop use (use class A1) from a ground floor premises will not be permitted.

PM Inset 19b

Add Primary Shopping Frontage in Radstock Town Centre.

Sub-heading

578/B61

Bath City centre A3 Uses

B5.50

B5.50/A

2674/B1

In considering applications for A3 uses, including variations to existing A3 consents, within and adjoining Bath central shopping area, it is crucial that the impacts on the character of the Conservation Area and on residential amenity are carefully assessed. Where permission is granted it may be necessary, in the interests of safeguarding residential amenity, for conditions to be attached restricting the type of operation carried out and/or the hours of operation.

S.6

S.6/B

721/B26

Proposals for A3 uses, including variations to existing consents, within and adjoining Bath central shopping area will not only be permitted where they would harm preserve or enhance the character of that part of the Conservation Area or and they do not have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of residential occupiers.

B5.52

B5.52/A

578/B61

This practice helps to increase street activity and can create a pleasant atmosphere. Where appropriate such activity should be supported. However, in some locations it can have unacceptable safety and amenity impacts and detract from the City’s historic environment. Whilst such activity is focussed mainly within Bath City Centre, operators of A3 uses elsewhere in the District may wish to set up tables and chairs outside their premises. In these areas, the same potential adverse impacts need to be avoided.

S.7

S.7/A

578/B61, 5010/B54

B5.57

B5.57/A

Residents within the District are also served by a range of district, local and village centres. These centres (identified in Policy S.1) play a valuable role in providing locally available convenience and top-up shopping. Shops within these centres, such as post offices, can also provide valuable social and community benefits (see also Chapter B3, particularly Policy CF.1). They The centres are essential in helping to reduce the need to travel for shopping trips and are particularly important for residents with limited mobility e.g. those without a car. Therefore, it is important to maintain their shopping function and where possible to promote investments.

B5.61

B5.61/A

686/B86, 5010/B55

Given their importance locally it is critical that the vitality and viability of these centres is maintained. Safeguarding existing shops should help achieve this objective, in addition to maintaining local shopping choice. However, these centres may be the location for other locally important community services or facilities that contribute to their vitality. These roles should also be maintained. Therefore, in particular circumstances, the loss of a shop may be acceptable where the proposal replaces it with a service or facility that is of benefit to the local community.

B5.62

B5.62/A

505/B53, 686/B80

Small shops, either singly or in small groups, are also spread throughout the District, both within the urban areas and in villages. These shops also provide a useful service for day to day needs and have offer valuable social and community benefits (see also Chapter B3, particularly Policy CF.1). Whilst many of the factors that contribute to their closure lie outside the Council’s control, where possible their loss should be resisted.