Paul took us through many of the key points currently being considered - including the way that tranquillity has been eroded in our area; thoughts around the future of food, farming and forestry; the built environment; planning and local democracy; lifestyle, values and attitudes; climate change and the countryside.

Jim then noted that there were many point of agreement between the RTPI stance and that of CPRE, but, not surprisingly, the difference came with Green Belt. RTPI were in favour of green wedges into our cities and the erosion of some of the existing green belt. The point was made by several of the audience, that if this was allowed then the risk of further diminution of the green belt was very high. Once the barrier had been lifted then there was a very big risk that the discipline for protecting our countryside would be lost. Green Belt had been successful and should remain as a planning discipline.

There was further discussion on the role of farming in managing our countryside and there was appeared to be consensus around farming’s importance, for food security and also to ensure that our countryside is attractive as a place for recreation for all.

Everyone is encouraged to contribute further to the debate at www.cpre.org.uk/debates. We will be forwarding the comments and questions raised at the session to Head Office and the County Branches Forum.

The Government has predicted that by 2020 we must build three million new homes. We believe it’s better to plan for homes we need, rather than the numbers we might need.

You can help us campaign, by sending an email letter to Caroline Flint, Housing Minister. We’ve created an online letter, which only needs your name and address to complete.

We have been keeping in close touch with the ongoing discussions around Bath Farmers Market (see section on local foods below).

We were also represented at a meeting at Culverhay School in Bath about the proposed urban extension to the south west of Bath and are keen to ensure that development does not extend into the Greenbelt outside Bath or other areas at risk in the Core Strategy. We believe that:

• the focus must be on ensuring that brownfield sites are developed before greenbelt land is put at risk
• he Council should not plan based on unproven forecasts of growth.

As we all know, once we have lost a part of our countryside, it is lost forever. This will be one of the main thrusts of our Core Strategy response.

In terms of development outside Bath we are also keen to ensure that the proposals for a “Buffer Zone” around the World Heritage Site are clarified before further land is sacrificed for development.

The CPRE Avonside Branch AGM was held on 24 November and was followed by two excellent talks. Detailswill be posted on this website soon. The Avonside Branch is particularly fortunate to have as one of its committee members Georgie Bigg, the North Somerset District Chairman who is now on the National Board. Sir Nigel Thompson, the Chairman of CPRE, also made time to attend the meeting and input to the debate.

Julia Sherwen

Contents

1. Welcome
2. B&NES Regional Spatial Strategy
3. B&NES Core Strategy
4. Park and Ride: East of Bath
5. New maps show B&NES has only 30% undisturbed countryside (from 50% in the early 1960s)
6. Bristol International Airport
7. Take Action!
8. Contacts

If you have a concern about an application or proposal in your area which you believe would damage the rural environment please contact us.

We have commented on a number of applications in recent months:

07/02738/FUL

Stantonbury House in Corston where we opposed the proposed change of use from storage barns to business use (under consideration)
Review this planning application online >

07/02240/FUL

For the erection of dwellings in Compton Dando (refused)
We argued against the erection of the 2 larger dwellings proposed.

We objected to a series of applications for the display of freestanding acknowledgement signs on roundabouts in the area. Some of the applications were refused.

Review this planning application online >

07/02578/FUL

(Pending consideration) for the creation of holiday homes on the Timsbury Road in Farmborough, on the edge of the Green Belt
Review this planning application online >

07/00510/FUL and 07/02438/FUL

For a mobile phone mast in Chew Stoke. The original application was withdrawn, however we have objected to the subsequent application also.

Review this planning application online >

Contents

• Introduction by Julia Sherwen, chairman
• Other committee members
• Issues
• Take Action!
• Advance notice of our AGM on 11 October 2007

These are the

• Bath Two Tunnels route
• Midsomer Norton to Radstock route

Why not have a look at the links above and show your support?

One of the celebratory events was a reception in November at St James’ Palace hosted by the Queen who is CPRE’s patron.

The North Somerset District committee was well represented at the event by Dave and Gill Gray our joint secretaries and air transport expert Noel Brailsford. The photo shows Dave and Gill Gray caught on camera as presentations were being made to Her Majesty (photo courtesy of Paul Burns Photography/CPRE). Featured on the right hand side is Sir Nigel Thompson, CPRE’s Chairman, in conversation with Her Majesty.

The English Cocktail Menu, selected to emphasise CPRE’s campaign for local foods, included mini Cumberland sausages and Somerset cheese. A presentation was made to Her Majesty of three items symbolising aspects of CPRE’s work: a photograph of the CPRE rambler rose “Rural England” produced to celebrate the 80th birthday; a copy of CPRE’s new book “A Portrait of England” and a bouquet of English autumn fruits and foliage.

It was a good opportunity to compare notes with members from other branches, and hear, for example, that the Yorkshire Branch, which includes the Pennines, is 100 miles across which makes organisation of meetings quite difficult! It helped to meet staff from the National Office and put faces to several of the voices with whom we frequently speak on the phone.

Following the Queen’s departure from the reception those attending were able to circulate through the State Apartments at St James’ and admire the many beautiful furnishings and interesting pictures. It was a privilege to have been invited to such a prestigious occasion.