The “BANES Local Plan” refers to the planning framework being developed by Bath and North East Somerset Council. This plan will guide development and land use decisions in the area up to the year 2042. It will contain a vision, strategy, and specific policies on various aspects such as housing, travel, business, and the environment. Once adopted, it will be the primary document used to determine planning applications.
Here’s a breakdown of key aspects of the local plan
- Purpose: To establish the planning framework for Bath and North East Somerset until 2042, guiding how the district grows and changes.
- Scope: It will cover a broad range of issues, including housing needs, economic development, environmental protection, and infrastructure.
- Previous Stages: The council conducted a launch consultation in 2022 and an Options consultation in February 2024.
- Call for Sites: In early 2025, the council held a “call for sites” to invite suggestions for potential housing and employment development from landowners, developers, communities, and other stakeholders. The deadline for submissions was March 21, 2025.
- Housing Targets: The new government set out revised mandatory housing targets in December 2024, significantly increasing the housing numbers B&NES needs to deliver. The requirement increased by 105%, from 717 to 1,471 homes per year.
- Regional Context: Previously, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) was preparing a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). However, this work was stopped in May 2022. Now, the individual Local Plans for Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire will provide the strategic planning framework for the WECA area.
- Consultation: Public consultation is a central part of developing the Local Plan, and the council holds these regularly throughout the process.
- Relationship to Existing Policy: The new Local Plan will eventually replace existing local planning policy documents, such as the Core Strategy, Placemaking Plan, and Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU). The LPPU was adopted in January 2023 and updated parts of the previous Local Plan
- Current Status: The council reset its approach to the Local Plan in February 2025 due to national planning policy changes introduced in December 2024. They are currently in the process of preparing the new Local Plan.
- Current Stage Regulation 16 – Drawing up the plan with latest content, options, policy etc (Ongoing)
- Next Stage (Draft Local Plan) – Issuing a draft Local Plan for consultation with Councils and Residents [expected Sept. / Oct. 2025 – Exact date TBC later this year from BANES]. This is the key stage for residence to input their views regarding the BANES Council Local Plan and the options it describes.
The following links (see below) provide general information regarding the plan together with some specific information of interest to Camerton residents regarding the HE/SCCW (Somerset Coal Canal and the Wansdyke). It is worth noting that these documents in places refer to Policy HE1 / HE2 as follows which is covered below
Policy HE1 sets out how any development that affects the historic environment should be considered within the planning process. It aims to support and protect the District’s Heritage Assets, in particular assets such as the Bath World Heritage Site, conservation areas, ancient monuments and historic parks and gardens.
Policy HE2 additionally sets out how to protect ‘two important linear assets’, namely the Wansdyke earthwork and the Somersetshire Coal Canal. Both of these features are defined as Designated Heritage Assets within the context of the National Planning Policy Framework. That policy states ‘When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation’.
Parishioners can sign-up to receive information regarding the local planning policy updates via this link. https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sign-planning-policy-email-updates.
The Council will update the Camerton Web site with the most recent document describing these proposals as we receive them.
Link to key documents
1) A document outlining Policy HE2 / SCCW Approach and Option (published by BANES in March 2025)
Policy HE2 Approach and Option (BANES March 2025)
2) Highlight slides used to brief councils on the previous document 1) B&NES Local Plan – Somersetshire Coal Canal – Parish Council Briefing (BANES March 2025)
B&NES Local Plan – Somersetshire Coal Canal – Parish Council Briefing (BANES March 2025)
3) Engagement folding leaflet (BANES 9th May 2025)
Engagement folding leaflet 2 pages (BANES 9th May 2025)
4) The Somersetshire Coal Canal Society and the Local Plan (a short document from SCC Society explaining the present planning situation).
The Somersetshire Coal Canal Society and the Local Plan (SCC Society)