Bath and North East Somerset
It was good to see those who came to the meeting on the 13th May in Bath. We had a good turnout and two excellent presentations from Paul Miner from CPRE Head Office and Jim Claydon from the Royal Town Planning Institute. The question and comment session was chaired by Hugh Delap who is the Chairman of Freshford Parish Council.
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.
Posted: Monday, June 2nd, 2008. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset, News.
It has been an interesting month, with work continuing on our response to the Core Strategy consultation. We have not received many comments from members, but are very appreciative of the responses which have been sent and the suggestions of closer liaison with some Parish Councils which we shall be progressing. If anyone else wishes to pass us their comments we would be very grateful to receive them. Please send to julia.sherwen@tiscali.co.uk
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
Posted: Saturday, December 1st, 2007. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset.
Download Newsletter from B&NES district, October 2007 >
Contents
- Welcome
- B&NES Regional Spatial Strategy
- B&NES Core Strategy
- Park and Ride: East of Bath
- New maps show B&NES has only 30% undisturbed countryside (from 50% in the early 1960s)
- Bristol International Airport
- Take Action!
- Contacts
Posted: Wednesday, November 7th, 2007. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset, Newsletters.
We endeavour, between the Committee members, to review all applications posted to the Bath and North East Somerset Planning website for the rural areas of B&NES. There are normally around 50 applications each week.
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:
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 >
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 >
(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 >
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 >
Posted: Saturday, November 3rd, 2007. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset, Planning Applications.
to be held in the Widcombe Room, Manvers St Baptist Church, Manvers St. Bath; on the 11th October 2007, commencing 19:30 hours.
Agenda:
- Introduction, welcome and apologies
- Chairman’s report
- Treasurer’s report
- Election of officers
- The way ahead for B&NES CPRE District
- Any other business
- Close of meeting.
Our AGM is only a short while away, we hope you will find time to attend and we look forward to meeting you.
You will see from the agenda that, rather than hire a speaker, we have decided (following election of officers) to devote the remainder of the meeting to listening to your views, specifically, where you think the District should devote its energies.
Do come along and give us your views.
Posted: Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset, Events.
Download Newsletter from B&NES district, August 2007 >
Contents
- Introduction by Julia Sherwen, chairman
- Other committee members
- Issues
- Take Action!
- Advance notice of our AGM on 11 October 2007
Posted: Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset, Newsletters.
There are some exciting proposals from Sustrans, which would really make a difference to those of us who find the hills around Bath too much of a challenge for cycling!
These are the
Why not have a look at the links above and show your support?
Posted: Monday, March 19th, 2007. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset, News Archive.
Location
Cleeve Village Hall
Programme
| 11.00 |
Doors Open – Coffee |
| 11.30 |
Calor Village of the Year Awards |
| 12.30 |
Lunch |
| 13.30 |
Annual General Meeting |
| |
Followed by Guest Speaker and questions and contributions from the floor |
| 15.15 |
Tea and departure |
Guest Speaker
John Sheaves – Taste of the West Director
Agenda
Click here to download a PDF of the agenda
Posted: Wednesday, February 28th, 2007. Filed in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Events, North Somerset, South Glos.
