Local Plan Option
BFA has responded to the Bath and North East Somerset Council Local Plan Options consultation.
Our main comment concerned the extent of traffic generation likely from new employment and residential development on the southern edge of Bath and further afield such as at or near Midsomer-Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St John. This would have a harmful impact on the A367, we said, including through Bear Flat Local Centre. Planning should be for balanced communities where many residents could work locally, not commute into the Bath
Our response is here.
Movement Strategy
BFA has responded to the Council ‘s document, Movement Strategy for Bath, Delivering our Journey to Net Zero promise.
The Movement Strategy is a 10-year blueprint to transform how we move around Bath. It’s designed to help meet climate goals, improve public spaces, and make travel safer and more accessible for everyone.
We felt the document is well intentioned, but suggests little that is new, and lacks a detailed and convincing programme of action. We questioned the emphasis on the City centre: ‘Bear Flat is in the WHS and Conservation Area, has a listed terrace fronting the highway, is designated as a Local Centre in the Local Plan, yet seems a low priority in the Movement Strategy.’. We called for bolder action to reduce the amount of traffic drawn into the centre of Bath.
BFA said that a 20mph limit is just as desirable outside the centre as within it. We have campaigned for such a limit on the A367 through and beyond our Local Centre, especially when such limits are already applied on other busy roads such as London Road and Upper Bristol Road.
Our response is here.
BFA’s response to the Somer Valley Links latest consultation is here.
Also, for the record, our response on the first consultation, in summer 2023, is here.
Our area is on a radial commuter route from the south into the city, leading to heavy peak time traffic and associated commuter parking. It also has significant traffic flows associated with school runs to Beechen Cliff School.
The BFA therefore takes a close interest in the traffic situation and is in touch with Councillors and Council officials on a range of issues.
BFA also seeks to promote walking and cycling and to encourage the use of public transport.
The BFA will make representation on your behalf to the various planning and transport issues that come up in our area.
Our Planning & Transport Group comments on a range of regional and local planning documents, an example being B&NES Council’s Local Plan – A copy of the BFA response can be found here.
We also commented on the Council’s draft Active Travel Masterplan , see below . BFA takes up planning applications in the area where there are issues of concern or proposals to support.
We also promote the protection of the amenities of Bear Flat and suggests improvements. In an unusual partnership, Bath and North East Somerset Council commissioned BFA to produce a character appraisal for Bear Flat and Oldfield Park, and that study – one of a series about the Bath Conservation Area – is now on the Council web site where it can influence planning applications and policy. To read more about this, please visit our new Conservation Area Character Appraisal page.
B&NES Active Travel Masterplan
The Council’s Active Travel Masterplan aims to encourage and enable walking, cycling, and other forms of travel that involve physical exercise, ensuring safer, healthier, and more accessible transport options. A consultation took place in summer 2024.
BFA broadly supported the draft document. Many of the proposals support the BFA’s Vision for Bear Flat Centre, including provision of more active travel infrastructure and reallocation of road space. BFA’s response to the B&NES Consultation is at here
Transport proposals for Bath City Centre:
The latest phase of the WECA corridor schemes concerns the City centre. Read more
Planning proposals for Bear Flat
Upgrade to telecommunications kit on Beechen Cliff School
BFA has commented on the planning application (25/04239/FUL ) to upgrade the exisitng telecommunications equipment on the rooftop above the main entrance to the School.
On appearance , we said that the two poles to replace the two poles in place now would not be significantly different from the existing.
On health , we said that the scheme meets the standards set by the Government. We added that the roof of the School has been used for telecommunications for over 20 years without local disquiet. Also, 5G has been in operation in the UK since 2019
BFA has already resisted intention to enlarge or add to the equipment at the Gore. If this scheme goes ahead , then that eventuality seems less likely.
We made no objection to the application
Our comment is here.
We have recently responded to plans to re develop the Garages on Bruton Avenue ( behind Mercy in Action)
Our response is here