Neighbourhood Concerns

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Cycle Shelter Build

Cycle Shelter Build – Day 1

Many thanks to everyone who turned out for Day 1 in March to help kick start the cycle shelter project. We had a really successful weekend of clearing and making the site ready for a secure community bike store at St Marks Community Centre. Day 2 of the bike store build is this weekend 8/9th April. The main build will be on Saturday with Sunday currently penciled in should we overrun.

We need willing volunteers that can help for a couple of hours, especially any with electric screwdrivers. There will be some lifting, possibly more ground clearing and the decking to construct so there’s plenty of work for all abilities! We are also planning a BBQ, refreshments for all and guaranteed sunshine!

Look forward to seeing you all on the day – we will be starting around 10:00 am.

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143 Calton Road Update

Here is an update on the planning application made in September last year for erection of four flats following demolition of existing two one bedroom flats at 143 Calton Road.

The applicant is currently putting together revised proposals following withdrawal of the previous application in the light of overwhelming objections from local residents. Those immediately affected were recently invited to view new outline proposals which had lowered the scheme by a storey height.

Despite this the residents felt that the draft proposals did not yet do enough to respond to their concerns, particularly of an overbearing development with consequential loss of daylight for the homes below on St Mark’s Road. We await the results of this initial consultation and are hoping that we will see revised proposals prior to any new submission for planning consent which respond to these concerns as well as to the other objections raised against the original application. Watch this space…”

Details of the original application can be viewed here.

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Your support for Beechen Cliff Local Green Space

We’ve been asked to share the email below:

A year ago, supported by over 400 people, by the local councillors for Lyncombe and Widcombe, and by several relevant organisations*, we submitted a proposal for the Council to designate the lower playing field at Beechen Cliff School a Local Green Space – a new classification where there is a presumption against development. The field makes a remarkable open space, a fantastic amenity for games and exercise on one of the few flatter areas in the neighbourhood, well used and valued by the local community, school youngsters and visitors. It’s also a key piece of the extensive green areas on this Bath hilltop, whose historical importance goes back to Jane Austen and beyond.

The Council have turned down our proposal – but apparently on a technical misunderstanding, thinking wrongly that a school site cannot be designated, and omitting it from the Placemaking Plan (now under consultation). We are objecting to this, and have asked our MP and councillors for Lyncombe and Widcombe to support us.  The field will only become a Local Green Space if it is in the Placemaking Plan, which will then go to public inquiry when a Government Inspector will make the decision.

Email the Council on placemaking_plan@bathnes.gov.uk (model letter attached, but do vary if you wish), urging that the Inspector set aside this part of the Plan and that the Beechen Cliff Local Green Space be designated (cc your councillor and opengreenspace).  Your email/letter must arrive with the Council by 5 pm on Wed 3 February.

Please forward this email to your friends and neighbours and encourage them to take part: we need all the support we can get!

*Supporting organisations: The Widcombe Association, the Bath Preservation Trust, the National Trust, the Bath branch of the Ramblers’ Association, the Federation of Bath Residents’ Associations, the Cotswolds Conservation Board (within whose setting the green space is situated) and the Somerset Playing Fields Association.

Email addresses you may need: placemaking_plan@bathnes.gov.uk (to respond formally to the consultation: be sure to include your name and address, which are needed for the response to be valid)

Ben Howlett (MP): ben.howlett.mp@parliament.uk

Jasper Becker (Cllr): Jasper_Becker@bathnes.gov.uk

Michael Norton (Cllr): Michael_Norton@bathnes.gov.uk

Mark Shelford (Cllr): Mark_Shelford@bathnes.gov.uk

Ian Gilchrist (Cllr): Ian_Gilchrist@bathnes.gov.uk

Open Green Space: opengreenspace@gmail.com

I also attach below a copy of the main parts of last year’s application, so that you can see the case that we made to the Council.

M Dolan

Model Letter

Local Green Space Application

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Planning Application Causes Stink

condenser units behind restaurants

St Mark’s Road views condenser units behind restaurants

Prezzo in Brunel Square has made a retrospective application for a condenser unit currently situated to the rear of the premises within Bath Spa Railway Station which is a Grade II Listed Building, a heritage gem by Brunel. This area got a beautiful face lift that won prizes, but the bit round the back, in clear view from some of the properties on St Mark’s Road, has been turned into an ugly, smelly service yard.

The objection in planning terms is that the unit should not be placed in a Grade II Listed area and need to be better camouflaged by greenery according to business regulations, along with the whole service yard. Prezzo’s application claims that they are already camouflaged, but this is not the case! The other unit is used by Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

At this point we residents have a chance to object and ask that you show some support.

The application can be viewed HERE on the Bath & North East Somerset Council website.

Click here to object or make a comment

In addition to this Be At One cocktail bar has placed tables and chairs with parasols and lights without planning permission.

We are also concerned with the annoying smells which appear to be coming from the restaurants on Brunel Square next to Bath Spa Station. More on this can be found on our Planning Applications page.