Local Plan 2025/26

Key (future) dates in BANES Local Plan update process:

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Latest update from BANES on next stages of consultation

Media release from Bath & North East Somerset Council (3rd Sept. 2026)

BANES Council’s Draft Local Plan will be considered by Cabinet on 10 September 2026. Subject to approval, a six-week Regulation 19 consultation is expected to commence in the week beginning 14 September 2026.

The Cabinet papers, including the Draft Local Plan, [View Cabinet report and supporting documents]

The Draft Local Plan sets out how Bath & North East Somerset will accommodate future housing, employment and infrastructure needs to 2043. The plan has been informed by the 2024 Options Consultation and subsequent evidence work.

Further information can be found at:

• Local Plan webpage: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/local-plan
• Cabinet papers: https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk

To help explain the Draft Local Plan and consultation process, a series of briefing events will take place during the consultation period. The dates below are already published on the Council’s webpages and calendar and can be viewed via the links provided. Further publicity will follow through the Area Forum mailing lists following publication of the press release and Cabinet papers.

Further details on the consultation, including the consultation platform and submission process, will be circulated following the Cabinet meeting.

For any queries, please contact planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk

Planning Policy Team, Planning Services, Bath and North East Somerset Council

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Media release from Bath & North East Somerset Council (3rd Aug. 2026)

The Local Plan will be the main agenda item at the 16 September, 6pm to 7pm. Somer Valley Area Forum (online using Microsoft Teams) see link to this online meeting below:

Meeting on 16 September 2026, 6pm (Online).

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Media release from Bath & North East Somerset Council (3rd Aug 2026)

Plans for new homes, jobs and infrastructure in B&NES go before cabinet

A draft Local Plan setting out where new homes, jobs and key infrastructure could be built across Bath and North East Somerset over the next 20 years will be considered by councillors on 10 September.

The plan aims to make sure growth happens in the right places, with the schools, healthcare, transport and community facilities needed to support it.

The Draft Local Plan has been shaped by extensive feedback from residents, businesses, developers, landowners, community organisations and other stakeholders. This feedback has helped inform the proposed strategy, sites and planning policies now being presented to cabinet.

The council is required by law to produce a Local Plan and, under government housing figures, Bath & North East Somerset Council must identify land for new homes up to 2043. Without an up-to-date Local Plan, the area would be more vulnerable to speculative planning applications.

One of the council’s key priorities is to provide more homes, particularly affordable homes, and the Options Consultation in 2024 identified land for 14,000 homes over 20 years. However, the government has significantly increased housing targets and now requires the council to identify land for 27,324 new homes over 18 years (nearly double the number in the 2024 consultation). The draft plan before cabinet identifies where land is proposed be allocated to deliver around 80% of the government’s new housing requirement.

Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of the council, said: “We need to plan more homes in Bath and North East Somerset, but homes do not exist in isolation. The people living in them need healthcare, schools, places to meet, transport links to jobs and education and the infrastructure that supports thriving communities.

“The government has imposed a requirement for 27,324 homes over 18 years. We had no choice over that figure and we remain concerned that the unique characteristics of our area, including our World Heritage status and the extent of our Green Belt, have not been taken into account in the way we would have hoped.

“The reality is that a large number of homes are likely to be built in our area. Our only choice is whether we plan for that growth or leave ourselves at the mercy of developers. Without a Local Plan, there is less influence over where homes are built, what type of homes are built and how the infrastructure needed alongside them is delivered.”

Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, said: “We face a significant challenge. Government housing targets have increased dramatically, but we also know there is a pressing need for more homes, particularly affordable homes, for local people.

“The Local Plan is our opportunity to strike the right balance, meeting housing needs while protecting what makes Bath and North East Somerset such a special place to live. We must plan for sustainable growth, ensuring new development is supported by the infrastructure, transport links, community facilities and environmental protections that residents rightly expect.

“Agreeing a sound Local Plan is the best way to shape our own future and ensure development happens in the right way, rather than having decisions imposed upon us. This consultation is the final piece of the jigsaw following an options consultation last year.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s cabinet is being recommended to agree the Draft Local Plan to go out for a six-week consultation, starting the week commencing 14 September. If approved, this will be the final opportunity for people to comment on the plan before it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.

People will be able to review the Draft Local Plan and submit comments through the council’s consultation website. Every response received will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate alongside the Draft Local Plan and should focus on the soundness of the Draft Local Plan and whether it is ready for independent examination.

A number of community meetings in September will feature the Local Plan as the main agenda item however views must be submitted as part of the formal consultation process. The meeting dates are as follows:

15 September, 5pm to 6pm. Bath Briefing (online using Microsoft Teams).

16 September, 6pm to 7pm. Somer Valley Area Forum (online using Microsoft Teams)

21 September, 12pm to 1pm. Bath Briefing (online using Microsoft Teams).

22 September, 6pm to 7pm. Bathavon Area Forum (online using Microsoft Teams)

23 September, 6pm to 7.30pm. Chew Valley Area Forum. The Library, Chew Valley School. BS40 8QB

24 September, 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Keynsham Area Forum. Community Space, 5 Temple Street, BS31 1HA

21 October, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Parish Liaison. Community Space, 5 Temple Street, BS31 1HA

Links to the online meetings and log on information can be found on the council website

Meetings taking place online will be recorded and can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

The report to cabinet can be viewed on the council website and the cabinet meeting can be watched live on our YouTube channel.

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Media release from Bath & North East Somerset Council (Summer 2026)

How to get Local Plan updates & how to get involved ?

What is the latest time line for the Local Plan Reset ?

Parish council and BANES planning development meeting 27 Nov 2025

Following the submission of the Parish council comments regarding the local plan, the Parish councils most affected by the HD/SCCW Option 1 and 2 met with BANES Planning development.
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Media release from Camerton Parish Council (Summer 2026)

Parish Council comments on Local plan 14 Nov 2025

The local plan consultation phase closed on the 14 November 2025. Following resident representation at the 12 Nov CPC meeting the Parish council submitted comments to BANES regarding HD/SCCW Option 1 and 2, as well as comments regarding Bus Services, rural Employment Opportunities and Traffic caused by nearby housing developments. These documents are can be found here:

Camerton PC_Comments on Local plan HD-SCCW HE2 Option 1 and 2 (v6)

Camerton PC_Comments on Local plan Key issues Bus service, Traffic, Employment (v2)

Local Plan Latest update from BANES planning (3rd Oct. 2025)

The local plan is now live for public consultation from Friday 3rd October to Friday 14th November. The consultation will be hosted via the dedicated BANES website: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk

Residents who wish to participate should register and then get access to the local plan policy documents. Should you have any issues navigating this BANES website, please contact BANES on tel. 01225 394041.

Links to the document sections 1-9 are also provided below, but residents should use the BANES website as the wording from the links differs somewhat from that of the website:

1-4. Introduction and Spatial Strategy: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/chapters/Setting%20the%20scene%20-%20Options%20Document%20Chapter%201-4.pdf

5. Bath: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/chapters/Bath%20-%20Options%20Document%20Chapter%205.pdf

6. Bristol to Bath corridor: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/chapters/Bristol%20to%20Bath%20Corridor%20-%20Options%20Document%20Chapter%206.pdf

7. Somer Valley: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/chapters/Somer%20Valley%20-%20Options%20Document%20Chapter%207.pdf

8. Rural areas: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/chapters/Rural%20Areas%20-%20Options%20Document%20Chapter%208.pdf

9. Development Management policies: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/chapters/Development%20Management%20Policy%20Options%20-%20Options%20Document%20Chapter%209.pdf

Section 9 – Page 60-68 (onwards) contains information that might be of interest to residents concerning the SCCW (Somersetshire Coal Canal and the Wansdyke).

• Option 1 The first option is simply to Retain Policy HE2 which already protects the historic canal route from development (has been in place since 2017).
• Option 2 (a new option) regards development of a New Policy for Restoration/Creation of diverted routes.
• This option proposes 4 diversions that mitigate existing developments that have already taken place along the original route.
• The four diversions proposed are:Radford, Camerton (North of the CBLNR), Camerton (New Pit) and Combe Hay.

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Media release from Bath & North East Somerset Council

Sign-up for Local Plan updates:

Parishioners can sign-up to receive information regarding the local planning policy updates via this link: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/sign-planning-policy-email-updates.

Local Plan Introduction

The “BANES Local Plan” refers to the planning framework being developed by Bath and North East Somerset Council. This plan will guide development and land use decisions in the area up to the year 2042. It will contain a vision, strategy, and specific policies on various aspects such as housing, travel, business, and the environment.

Once adopted, it will be the primary document used to determine planning applications. Here’s a breakdown of key aspects of the local plan:

• Purpose: To establish the planning framework for Bath and North East Somerset until 2042, guiding how the district grows and changes.
• Scope: It will cover a broad range of issues, including housing needs, economic development, environmental protection, and infrastructure.
• Previous Stages: The council conducted a launch consultation in 2022 and an Options consultation in February 2024.
• Call for Sites: In early 2025, the council held a “call for sites” to invite suggestions for potential housing and employment development from landowners, developers, communities, and other stakeholders. The deadline for submissions was March 21, 2025.
• Housing Targets: The new government set out revised mandatory housing targets in December 2024, significantly increasing the housing numbers B&NES needs to deliver. The requirement increased by 105%, from 717 to 1,471 homes per year.
• Regional Context: Previously, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) was preparing a Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). However, this work was stopped in May 2022. Now, the individual Local Plans for Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, and South Gloucestershire will provide the strategic planning framework for the WECA area.
• Consultation: Public consultation is a central part of developing the Local Plan, and the council holds these regularly throughout the process.
• Relationship to Existing Policy: The new Local Plan will eventually replace existing local planning policy documents, such as the Core Strategy, Placemaking Plan, and Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU). The LPPU was adopted in January 2023 and updated parts of the previous Local Plan.
• Current Status: The council reset its approach to the Local Plan in February 2025 due to national planning policy changes introduced in December 2024. They are currently in the process of preparing the new Local Plan:
  • • Current Stage – Drawing up the plan with latest content, options, policy etc (Ongoing).
    • Draft Local Plan – Issuing a draft Local Plan for consultation with Councils and Residents [expected Sept. / Oct. 2025 – Exact date TBC later this year from BANES]. This is the key stage for residence to input their views regarding the BANES Council Local Plan and the options it describes.

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Key Interest area(s) for Camerton – The Somersetshire Coal Canal and the Wansdyke), based on 2024 local plan draft documentation.

The following links (see below) provide general information regarding the plan together with some specific information of interest to Camerton residents regarding the HD/SCCW (Somerset Coal Canal and the Wansdyke). It is worth noting that these documents in places refer to Policy HE1 , HE2 and HD with the following definitions:

Policy HE1 sets out how any development that affects the historic environment should be considered within the planning process.  It aims to support and protect the District’s Heritage Assets, in particular assets such as the Bath World Heritage Site, conservation areas, ancient monuments and historic parks and gardens.

Policy HE2 additionally sets out how to protect ‘two important linear assets’, namely the Wansdyke earthwork and the Somersetshire Coal Canal.  Both of these features are defined as Designated Heritage Assets within the context of the National Planning Policy Framework.  That policy states ‘When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation’. Policy HE2 already exists and is in the Placemaking Plan since 2017 and already protects the old canal route from development.

Policy HE2 Expansion (sometimes called Buffer zones or Diversions) is a new Policy Option being proposed within the Local Plan and up for consultation, where they propose to expand the HE2 boundaries and introduce diversions in places. This would enable potential navigation from point A (Paulton) to Point B (Dundas) which is not possible without these diversions. These diversions are being considered as there have been developments on/near the original canal route. There are a number of diversions that impact Camerton Parish.

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Media release from Somersetshire Coal Canal Society (SCCS 30 Aug 2025)

An update from Somersetshire Coal Canal Society has been received by Camerton Parish Council on the 30 Aug, 2025, and below is an update on its restoration plans as part of the Local Plan reset consultation:

The attached document provides an update on the Society’s objectives and our proposals to protect the route for eventual restoration to water. It references the route amendments we are proposing to incorporate into Policy HE2 to bypass development on the original canal route. These route amendments have been reviewed and revised in response to feedback from the first public consultation exercise. The document explains that restoration can only be performed with the agreement of affected landowners. The Society has provided some useful links below detailing the canal route and HE2 policy.

https://www.coalcanal.com/

https://www.coalcanal.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Somersetshire-Coal-Canal-Restoration-Plan-Baseline-Assessment-V1.5.pdf

https://app.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/maps/?base=Ordnance%20Survey&center=51.33446607527387,-2.406316995620728&zoom=17&categories=planning,planning_historicenvironment&wfslayers=mlyr-98838

SCCS welcome any engagement with parish councils, ward councillors and residents to discuss questions/queries relating to its protection and restoration plans and the associated Local Plan process.

The new landowner liaison and public rights of way secretary for the society is Nick Baker who is keen to establish links with the parish community relating to the Local Plan reset, land ownership and the footpath network associated with the canal route.

Please contact Nick Baker (Landowner Liaison & Public Rights of Way Secretary), Somersetshire Coal Canal Society landownerliaison@coalcanal.com

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