About this page
How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works
These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:
Policy background
- Relevant national policy or regulations
- National or regional trends
- Local situation and needs/li>
- How we have dealt with this issue in the past
- The thinking behind the policy
Policy options for the new Local Plan
We may suggest a variety of approaches:
- Keeping existing policy as it is
- Making small changes
- Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
- Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future
Policy option analysis
- A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.
Read the Heritage and Design Topic Paper for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.
Explore the policy
Select a section below to read more.
9.420 The NPPF highlights planning policies and decisions should ensure that developments are sympathetic to local character and history, including the surrounding built environment and landscape setting, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation or change (such as increased densities).
9.421 This is in addition to ensuring developments establish or maintain a strong sense of place, using the arrangement of streets, spaces, building types and materials to create attractive, welcoming and distinctive places to live, work and visit. Developments should also optimise the potential of the site to accommodate and sustain an appropriate amount and mix of development (including green and other public space) and support local facilities and transport networks.
9.422 The NPPF paragraph 136 further sets out the following:
‘The quality and character of places can suffer when advertisements are poorly sited and designed. A separate consent process within the planning system controls the display of advertisements, which should be operated in a way which is simple, efficient and effective. Advertisements should be subject to control only in the interests of amenity and public safety, taking account of cumulative impacts.’
9.423 Placemaking Plan Policy D9 aims to provide guidance that will be used in the determination of planning, advertisement and listed building consent in relation to advertisement and outdoor street furniture for commercial premises – including signage (both fascia and ancillary signage/advertising), outdoor tables and chairs, low level barriers etc. The policy seeks to ensure the delivery of good design, in line with NPPF.
9.424 The policy is in two parts: Advertisement policy, and Outdoor Street furniture policy. Additional detail is also provided for Bath Conservation Area in line with the stewardship principles WHS Management Plan (2014, or successor document).
9.425 It is noted that the Regeneration and Levelling Up Act 2023 (Schedule 22 - Pavement Licences) has confirmed the government’s intention to progress with pavement licencing regime (via licencing) with no further requirement for a tables and chairs on the highway (via planning consent), as such this element of the policy will become redundant.
9.426 The detailed background and evidence relating to the following options is set out in the Heritage and design Topic Paper.
9.427 The policy remains fit for purpose. The current policy accords with national and local strategies, however, amendments could be incorporated to ensure the policy is clearer particularly regarding planning balance and judgement. Elements of the policy concerning tables and chairs on the highway will also be removed to reflect the Regeneration and Levelling Up Act 2023 (Schedule 22) as they will become redundant.
Option A
Retain policy D9 with amendments to take account of Regeneration and Levelling Up Act 2023 (Schedule 22).
Advantages of Option A
Adopted policy presents no issues or concerns arising from development management officers in its implementation.
Disadvantages of Option A
None identified.