Strategy overview and key issues
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7.18 Peasedown St John is located to the south west of Bath. The village sits on top of a plateau above the Cam Brook and Wellow Brook Valleys. Both brooks, while designated as Sites of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCIs), have potential for nature recovery and habitat enhancement. The village has a population of approximately 6,500.
7.19 The small hamlet of Carlingcott existed before the large 19th-century expansion when the Somerset coalfield was expanded as the Industrial Revolution increased demand for coal. By the second half of the 20th century, there were at least six collieries within 3km of Peasedown St John. Evidence of the area's mining heritage can be seen within the landscape, most notably Braysdown Colliery batch which sits to the south of the village.
7.20 The south east side of the village was greatly extended in the 1990s which included the provision of a bypass on the A367. The southern boundary of the village is now formed by the Peasedown by-pass. Bath Business Park is located to the south east and is now nearing full occupation.
7.21 The village is served by a number of existing amenities such as a primary school, local shops and sports facilities. There are bus connections along the A367 to both Bath and Radstock.
Figure 46: Context Plan - Peasedown St John
- The bypass is a hard boundary to the settlement and residential development on the southern side of the bypass would result in severance issues.
- There is an increased requirement and opportunities for employment in the area so that local residents can access good jobs.
- Development on the northern side of the A367 would enable easy access to the village centre without the need to cross the bypass.
- The village sits on a busy commuter route between Radstock and Bath.
- The primary school should be able to accommodate additional children generated by new development. Secondary age pupils from any new development at Peasedown St John will need to be transported to Writhlington School in Radstock, at cost to the Council. These pupils will not be able to travel to school sustainably by active modes.
7.22 The following list sets out the key priorities and objectives for Peasedown. Many of the priorities can be addressed by new development, and site options have been selected in response to the key issues, priorities and objectives. However, some priorities won’t be addressed through new development but will be addressed through other policies in the Local Plan or initiatives undertaken by the Council or by other stakeholders.
- Expansion of the Bath Business Park would allow for job growth providing local employment opportunities within the Somer Valley, whilst not impacting on the delivery of employment space at the Somer Valley Enterprise Zone.
- New housing development in Peasedown St John should be well connected for pedestrians to the existing village centre to allow for pavement access.
- Provision of renewable energy.