B&NES Council Launches 20-Year Growth Consultation

A significant public consultation on growth plans, which could reshape Bath & North East Somerset over the next 20 years, focusing on new housing, transport, business space, infrastructure and public spaces, has been launched by the council. This consultation reflects detailed conversations over the last year with many organisations, including the FAB, and is designed to reflect the priorities across our Economic Strategy.

The consultation will give residents a range of opportunities to share their views, for example at pop-up events in Bath, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton and rural areas. Targeted outreach to young people, renters and other underrepresented groups and community group briefings and conversations will also take place.

The Local Plan outlines how places might change over the next 20 years to provide more of the right homes in the right places and enable economic growth. The report sets out how growth could be planned for, to create sustainable communities, protect the district’s unique character and address the climate and ecological emergency.

When finally agreed, the statutory Local Plan will guide development and land use across Bath and North East Somerset until 2043, with adoption scheduled for summer 2027.

The Council also approved a separate report seeking approval for the development of a Movement Strategy aimed at improving travel choices and a consultation on the strategy to run from Tuesday 14 October to Friday 28 November.

Everyone can respond to the online consultation and find out about consultation events at https://bathnesplaces.co.uk.

You can find the programme and consultation activities here - https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/index.php?contentid=82