The Hollow - Planning Application

As many of you know, there is yet another on-going planning application for Private Houses to be built on the land below the Bath City Farm on The Hollow.

The applicant has put through several different variations on their application in a bid to build on this land.

The Councillors for this area have been vocal on their objections to the building of private homes on this land for a number of reasons and Sarah Moore has registered to speak at the Planning Meeting on 18th December in which this application is to be heard.

We will of course keep you updated on the outcome of this application as and when more details become available.

Planning application 32 Th Hollow

We have one planning application this week in Twerton and that is for a new side extension at 32 The Hollow.

If you have an interest in this application or wish to view it or make a comment then please follow this link.

32 The Hollow

The Hollow

We have one planning application listed for consideration, please see below and comment if you wish to.

Ward:​​Twerton​​​App Ref:​16/01538/FUL

Parish:​​N/A

Registered:​1st April 2016​​​Expiry Date:​27th May 2016

Location:​142 The Hollow Southdown Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1NF  

Grid Ref:​(E)372518 - (N)163918​​​LB Grade:​N/A

Proposal:​Erection of loft conversion with rear dormer

Officer: ​Chloe Buckingham

Applicant:​Ms K Dancey	Agent:    Western Building Consultants Ltd (Western House)
142 The Hollow Southdown Bath Bath And North East Somerset BA2 1NF	C/O Mr Charles Burgess Western House 2 Rush Hill Bath BA2 2QH

To view the case click on the link here.

Planning Refused - The Hollow

Following a great campaign led by a group of residents, who were against the proposed building of 20 homes on the land between Bath City Farm and Cotswold View on The Hollow, we are pleased to see that the application has been refused for the following reasons:

Address to which the proposal relates: Field Between City Farm And Cotswold View The Hollow Southdown Bath

Description of Proposal: Erection of 20no. dwellings and associated works.

Application submitted by: Juniper Homes (South West)Ltd

The above development is REFUSED in accordance with the application, plans and drawings submitted by you for the reason(s) set out below:

1 The proposed development will adversely affect the contribution that this important hillside location makes towards the character and landscape setting of Bath resulting in harm towards the Outstanding Universal Values of the Bath World Heritage Site and the setting of this part of the Bath Conservation Area. The public benefits of the scheme do not outweigh the identified harm to these heritage assets. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to policies NE.1, NE.3 and BH.6 of the Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan, policies B4 and CP6 of the Bath and North East Somerset Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

2 The proposed development, due to the scale, massing, form and materials, fails to respond to the local context and is considered to be harmful to the character and appearance of the area contrary to policies D.2 and D.4 of the Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan, policy CP6 of the Bath and North East Somerset Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

3 The proposed development is not able to provide the appropriate recommended ecological mitigation, will cause harm to the remaining features of ecological value and will result in a net loss to ecology contrary to policy NE.9 of the Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan, policy CP6 of the Bath and North East Somerset Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

4 The proposed development results in the clustering of affordable housing, does not deliver tenure blindness and does not promote effective social integration contrary to the Planning Obligations SPD 2015, policy CP9 of the Bath and North East Somerset Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

5 The proposed development has failed to demonstrate that satisfactory access to a public highway can be achieved. For this reason the proposal is contrary to the key aims of Policy T.24 of the Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan, and the National Planning Policy Framework, which seek to provide adequate and safe access to all development sites.

6 The application has failed to secure the provision of 30% affordable housing, a Site Specific Targeted Recruitment and Training in Construction scheme and a contribution towards the provision of additional fire hydrants as required by the Planning Obligations SPD 2015. The proposal is therefore contrary to policies CP9 and CP13 of the Bath and North East Somerset Core Strategy and the Planning Obligations SPD 2015.

Local Campaigner Sarah Moore said "This is really good news and a great result for the local residents that put such effort into their campaign".

Councillor Tim Ball added "We are aware the applicant could appeal this decision, however, we are going to push to get this land formally designated as green space".

Planning Application - The Hollow

Overlooking the field where approval to build 20 homes is being sought  

The additional consultation period for the application to build 20 homes on the land adjacent to The Bath City Farm has now closed.

Over 290 objections have been received from residents around the area not wanting this project to go ahead.

The objections raised are for a large range of reasons, but the main reasons we can see are:

• The dangers that result from having an additional road emerging onto The Hollow, whether with or without altered traffic calming, this area already has too much traffic travelling at too great a speed.
• The loss of the already limited green space and beautiful hillside.
• The negative impact on the surrounding residents and the Farm itself.

The decision is scheduled to be released at the end of November and we will of course let you know the outcome as soon as we hear. However, both myself and Councillor Tim Ball are supporting the residents with their objections to this application and hope the views of those that will be mostly affected by this development are listened to over those of a national developer. 

Land at the Hollow

Planning application 15/02807/FUL

New information and details have been published on the councils we site that you may wish to take account of or comment on.

Please follow this link to see updates on this planning land at the hollow

It also seems that from information that has been received is that some unknown person has vandalised the objection score boards displayed adjacent to the land.

Planning Application - The Hollow

Really good meeting this evening with residents from Cotswold View and The Hollow discussing the latest planning application that has been submitted for 20 properties on the land below The Bath City Farm.

The previous application by Curo was withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

If you would like to make a comment on this application it can be found here.

We will be keeping you updated on the progress of this application, if however, you would like to discuss this with us, please get in touch.

The Hollow - Planning Application submitted

As you may be aware a planning application that was submitted in 2008 to erect 30 properties on the land between The City Farm and Cotswold View was withdrawn due to public pressure.

We are aware that a new application has now been submitted to erect 20 properties on this area of land.

The full application can be viewed on the BANES Website here and comments can be made up until 30th July 2015.

We will be requesting that this matter is determined by BANES development committee when due for consideration.  We successfully opposed the 2008 application that was withdrawn by Curo due to widespread public opposition and difficulties with funding.

The Curo application was far superior to the current application, so therefore we believe that this application will also be rejected.

This land has been secured as important hillside, valuable open space and a recreational area in the emerging placemaking plan following a submission  by Councillor Tim Ball earlier this year.

Fence at The Hollow

We are pleased to see that the fence at the Hollow from Kelston View to Cotswold View has had its height drastically reduced and is not so overbearing on the skyline.

This is a good result for members of the local community who campaigned so hard about this fence that was erected without planning permission in the first place.

We will keep an eye on this area to make sure that it remains that way.

Litter bins Hollow &

We are pleased that the litter bin has been replaced at the Hollow and also that the litter bin that was broken at Freeview road has also been replaced.

We are keen to ensure that all of the litter bins in the area are fully functional and are fit for purpose.

If you know of any bins that need replacing then please let us know.

Missing an broken litter bins

We have asked that the litter bin that has been removed by the footpath close to the White horse Public House is replaced as soon as possible.

We have also asked that the litter bin by 13 Freeview road that is in the verge of collapsing is replaced as soon as possible.

We hope that these will be replaced shortly.

The Hollow

We have a Retrospective planning application for the Erection of 1.8m high fence in the field between Bath City Farm, The Hollow & Cotswold View.

Application reference: 14/01245/FUL received on 17/03/2014

Planning Portal reference: PP-03259294

If you have any comments on this application or wish to view the proposals then please follow the link below.

Field Between City Farm And Cotswold View, The Hollow, Southdown, Bath, Bath And North East Somerset

Speed Checks Twerton

There seems to be confusion with some people believing that the Police do not carry out speed checks in Twerton and that the majority of people are speeding in their cars.

I have carried out extensive checks with the Police and have received confirmation that the primary routes in Twerton are checked periodically.

The roads that receive regular checks are Newton Road, High Street, Kelston View and the Hollow, the police have reported that since the introduction of the 20mph speed limits in the Twerton area by the Councils Liberal Democrat administration that mean speeds of vehicles have been reduced.

It has come to our attention that some one has been unofficially using an uncalibrated Camera in the Twerton area that does not accurately record speeds of vehicles.

It has to be pointed out very clearly that uncalibrated units used by untrained people are unreliable and can be distracting for motorists that could cause a danger to the public.

We are keen to see Speed limits kept to by all vehicles in the area and this is a matter of education as well as enforcement and that enforcement has to be left to the professionals and not done by well meaning amateurs.

However we are keen to hear from residents who have concerns about speeding motorists.

by Councillor Tim Ball

Winter Warmth Club open House

You are invited to attend the launch of the Winter Warmth Club Open House in Twerton, on Tuesday 12th March.

Drop-in between 3pm-7pm for refreshments and to find out what support is available.

56 The Hollow, Twerton

This recently retrofitted house in Twerton will be open to the public from Tuesday 12th March until the end April

Opening times:
Tuesdays 3pm – 7pm
Wednesday –Saturday 10am – 2pm

Drop-in to speak to an adviser about your energy bills, the energy efficiency measures that could work in your home, and what grants and subsidies and finance you may be eligible for, and to see the improvements made to the house and the information displays.

www.bathnes.gov.uk/wwc
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