Residents still have the chance to discuss options on future developments, including new homes, jobs and transport across B&NES, at the last two of a series of public consultation meetings.

The final remaining public exhibitions of the Local Plan proposals are being held from 3.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. this Friday, 30th November at the Assembly Room, Midsomer Norton Town Hall, and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 5th December at Temple Cloud Village Hall.

Residents will be able to talk to council officers about the options for the Local Plan, as well as other projects, including the Joint Local Transport Plan.

However, the public consultation on the options to revise the existing planning policy framework for Bath and North East Somerset to create a new Local Plan runs until Monday, 7th January.

A range of options for the new planning framework are being laid out covering local planning matters, from the provision of affordable homes and the identification of new housing and employment sites, to the development of wind energy, provision of electric vehicle infrastructure and the siting of fast food takeaways. Once adopted, the new Local Plan will form the basis for determining planning applications until 2036.

In addition, information will be available about the West of England Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) consultation which is looking at the high level planning policy across the whole Bristol and Bath region. The JSP establishes the strategic decisions on the amount of housing and economic growth that needs to be planned for, and where it should be accommodated. It is the role of the Local Plan to provide the more detailed policies.

Residents can also find out more about the Strategic Transport Infrastructure, which looks at a series of key measures in order to deliver housing and job growth at Strategic Development Locations.

These include a link road from A4/A37/South Bristol link, relocating Brislington Park and Ride to Hicks Gate and a North Keynsham Link Road (A4175 to A4). Both the Transport Options Assessment Reports and the Joint Spatial Plan are also subject to consultation alongside the Local Plan.

An additional event focusing on transport issues is being held at Stockwood Library in Bristol on Monday, 3rd December from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

Some of the options in the proposed Local Plan include:

• Creation of a new ‘Garden Community’ in North Keynsham delivering 1,500 new homes, including affordable homes.

• Creation of a new ‘Garden Community’ to the South East of Whitchurch, to deliver around 2,000 new homes, including affordable homes and associated infrastructure.

• Introduction of restrictions on new student accommodation, requiring all new developments to be provided on campus.

• Relocation of Bath’s Household Refuse and Recycling facility to Odd Down.

• Construction of a new Link Road connecting the A4175 to the north of Keynsham with the A4 Bath Road to the east of Keynsham to help relieve congestion in the town centre.

• Construction of a new Link Road connecting the A4/A4174 to the A37 and into South Bristol to help relieve congestion.

• Expansion of the employment land allocation and broadening the mix of uses, both to enable the delivery of the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone.

• The introduction of new restrictions on the location of fast food takeaways to prevent them from opening near schools and youth facilities.

• A review of parking standards and provision for electric vehicles infrastructure.

• A review of the policy approach for the regeneration of areas of social housing.

• The proposed Clean Air Zone in Bath and its relationship with Bath Transport Strategy, including additional Park & Ride provision.

• The Council’s approach to viability to ensure developers properly address the need for infrastructure in new housing.

People can have their say on the options under consideration online or send in comments. These will then be used to inform the preparation of a draft plan due to be published later in 2019.

Councillor Bob Goodman, Cabinet Member for Development and Neighbourhoods, said: “The Local Plan will shape the future of Bath and North East Somerset for the next two decades, so it’s really important that it works for all our communities.

“We’ve asked residents for their views at every stage of its development, and this consultation is another opportunity to comment on these options and inform the next step which is the preparation of a Draft Plan setting out the Council’s proposed site allocations and policy for developments.

“In addition to our Local Plan, people are also being asked for comments on the wider Joint Spatial Plan, which affects planning for homes and growth across the region and transport plans which would deliver the infrastructure to make future new developments possible.”

All consultation documents, background evidence are available by visiting: www.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan2016-2036

Readers can make comments online using the consultation portal: www.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan2016-2036

Alternatively, email completed comments form to: [email protected] or send completed forms to Planning Policy, Bath & North East Somerset Council, PO Box 5006, Bath BA1 1JG.