Tuesday 10 February 2015

Protecting our open spaces

B&NES are currently working on the Placemaking Plan (part two of the new B&NES Local Plan).  The Council recently published the Options document for consultation and is intending to publish the Draft Plan in September 2015.



Gerry & Tim at Innox Park

In terms of the Placemaking Plan there is an opportunity for Parish/Town councils and for resident associations in Bath to identify green areas of particular importance to them for special protection through designation in the Placemaking Plan. Once designated these open spaces will not be developed except in very special circumstances. Local Green Space Designations need to be in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) criteria set out below.

National policy also states that designation will not be appropriate for most green areas or open space. The designation should only be used:

  *   where the green space is in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves;
  *   where the green area is demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife; and
  *   where the green area concerned is local in character and is not an extensive tract of land

The Liberal Democrat team in the South West of Bath, including Councillors Sharon Ball, Tim Ball, Gerry Curran, Dine Romero and Paul Crossley together with local campaigner Sarah Moore have decided to submit a request that a number of locations are considered within this area, to include The Brickfields, Hillcrest Field, Roundhill and Innox Park.


Please contact us if you feel there are other areas in the community that you would like to be considered as soon as possible as the deadline for this is 25th February 2015.