Warminster Road MoD Concept Statement approved

MOD site exhibiton

The planning policy Concept Statements for Bath’s MoD sites have been approved by the council.

BathNES Council has created documents for the sites on Warminster Road, Ensleigh and Foxhill so that potential housing developers know what is expected from the sites when they are sold by the MoD. Your Liberal Democrat councillors have been fully involved in the consultations, including an exhibition of draft proposals at Bathwick Primary in May.

Comments from the public were considered and the Concept Statements were modified accordingly – details are here. The main issue highlighted in Bathwick was the provision of extra primary school places and a new playground at the Bathwick St Mary’s site. A final decision on this has been deferred until September, to allow the Council to review all of the primary school places in Bath.

Inclusion of a small shop was added to the Concept Statement for Warminster Road, and the language around protection of the natural environment and use of Bath stone for building material was toughened. There was also a call for increased energy efficiency standards for the new homes, which was included in the approved paper here.

Order made to create bridlepath on AQ78

Cllrs Symonds, Martin and Coombes on AQ78

The Council has made an order to turn the footpath from Combe Down to Claverton Down into a restricted byway. This means that it could be used by cyclists legally and would be brought up to standard accordingly.

The route would not be subject to any limitations, but it is antipated that pillars/bollards would be installed for public safety at the Combe Down entrance and at a position near to the house named Natelliam. If no objections are received by 9 August 2012, the Council will be able to confirm the order. To participate in the consultation please write to Environmental Services at Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham BS31 1LA.  An earlier informal consultation in December last year was largely well recieved.

This is a welcome next stage in the improvements for this important route between Claverton Down and Combe Down. A safe and legal cycle path here will be of use to Bathwick pupils at Ralph Allen school and University students cycling from Combe Down.

Local action against climate change

David and Nicholas at the Darlington Wharf eco-houses

Tackling the causes and effects of climate change is a key strategic issue for B&NES Council.

The Lib Dem run Council encourages environmentally friendly practices such as making buildings more energy efficient, increasing the use of renewable energy, reducing car use and growing more local food.

Projects such as the Energy Champions scheme, the “Bath Homes Fit for the Future” event, which recently demonstrated how people can make their homes more energy efficient, and the preparation of forthcoming guidance for houseowners on practical energy measures are helping reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

The Council has now joined the Climate Local initiative which will build on our existing achievements and will also provide a locally based set of commitments and milestones.

Cllr David Martin, who is the Council’s Energy and Climate Change Champion, has welcomed B&NES participation; he said “this initiative will enable B&NES to share our learning and experiences with other councils and to swap advice and tips.

“Our projects already help people to save on their energy bills, and to do their bit for the environment, and we aim to do more over the coming years to promote and develop low carbon opportunities in the district”.

Close competition – name new road

Cllr Nicholas Coombes at the Lime Grove School site

A name is needed for the new close of houses to be built on the Lime Grove School site.

The thirteen houses were approved by the planning committee last month. Lime Grove Gardens will be extended with a new cul-de-sac with houses on the railway side and at the end.

Your local councillors are asking for your suggestions for naming the new road, the best of which will be put to the developers.

You can email your suggestions to bathwick_libdems@yahoo.com or write them in the comments section below. Please include a reason for your proposed name.

Council consultations

Council chamber

Readers of the local press will know that BathNES Council is currently engaged in a number of public consultations right now.

The pre-consultation on the allocation of gypsy and traveller sites sparked a special council meeting this week, and the suggestion to restrict through traffic in Dorchester street is making headlines.

In fact, there are currently seven public consultations open for your comment, available on the council’s website. They cover parking, Dorchester Street, social housing, hotels, the world heritage site setting, houses in multiple occupation and travellers sites. Please get involved if the subjects interest you.

Keeping HGVs out of Bathwick

Nicholas Coombes on Warminster Road

The Council will shortly implement a prohibition on the movement of through HGV traffic exceeding 18 tonnes travelling between Bathwick Street and Beckford Road and vice versa.

The aim of the ban, which is for an experimental period of 18 months, is to discourage HGVs from using Bath as a route between the M4 and destinations south of Bath. The benefits will be reduced traffic congestion and improvements in air quality on London Road, and we also hope that there will be fewer HGVs travelling along Warminster Road.

The Council estimates that over 300 daily HGV movements will be affected. During the experimental period, the Council will monitor the effects of the scheme before deciding whether to implement the ban on a permanent basis.

Councillors’ allowances published

Council chamber

Elected members of Bath & North East Somerset Council are not paid a salary, but are provided with a set allowance to cover their expenses and as part compensation for the time they use. The list of allowances from 2011/2012 has been published here; previous years are also available online.

Each councillor receives a basic allowance of ~£7,700, with some allocated more for special duties. Travel expenses are also claimable. Councillor allowances are linked to the pay of council staff. As wages in the council have not increased in recent years, neither have allowances.

In the last year, Bathwick councillor Nicholas Coombes was re-elected, so claims his full allowance. Since May 2011, when the Liberal Democrats took control of the council, he has been chair of the Regulatory Committee, which does not have any allowance. However, he is also a member of the Avon Pension Fund and its associated Investment Panel, which does have a special responsibility allowance. He has not claimed any travel expenses. For the last financial year he was paid £10,809.26.

Dr David Martin was elected to represent Bathwick in May 2011, so did not receive a full year allowance. He is the Council’s champion for Energy & Climate Change which is an unpaid role. He claimed £51.15 is travel expenses, bringing his annual pay to £6,972.60

University master plan updated

University parade

The University has revised its draft Masterplan for the Claverton Down campus over the period 2009-2026 and it is available to read through the university estates website.

The plan includes the predicted growth in student numbers, the accommodation and teaching requirements, and the development opportunities and constraints. Other issues such as transport, vehicle access and parking are also included. Detailed proposals for future development will continue to be submitted to the Council for planning approval in the normal manner.

The next meeting of the university neighbours forum will be on 12th June at 5:30pm.

The forum was set up to give those living near the university an opportunity to keep up to date with activity on campus and question the senior management. So far it has been very successful in facilitating dialogue and improving relations.