Principles guiding site allocation
Variety of land use
5.28 A key purpose of this site allocations element of the Local Plan is to demonstrate how different land uses can be delivered, reflecting evidence and the priorities of the Council. Many of the sites/areas within the city set out in the following pages are already allocated in the adopted Core Strategy/Placemaking Plan. This Local Plan will review these allocations and set out our proposed approach.
Placemaking
5.29 The site allocations will also contain key development requirements and design principles to ensure that the development outputs contribute towards the creation of great places, that they seek to optimise the use of land, are properly integrated into and respond appropriately to their sensitive contexts, that they address the climate and ecological emergencies, and improve health and well being.
Design values
5.30 In accordance with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), there is a requirement to ensure that land is used efficiently whilst also creating beautiful and sustainable places. This contextual approach reflects the existing planning policy framework in Bath, where a set of ‘Design Values’ were established and which provide the context for considering the design of new buildings and as a means of creating authentic and locally distinctive and enduring places. These ‘Design Values’ continue to remain relevant in the consideration of new development proposals and in managing the potential tension between optimising the use of land and ensuring that development makes a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness.
Biodiversity and green infrastructure
5.31 For all of the site allocations it is proposed, where relevant, to update the range of development requirements to include references to the need for a transformational approach to the protection and enhancement of biodiversity, to deliver outcomes which:
- genuinely contribute to nature recovery
- enable new development
- improve the relationship to the river
- offer integration of green infrastructure
- recognise the need for lighting in this location to safeguard the dark corridor for bats
Site allocations
The remaining pages of this chapter present sites within Bath and its environs which we consider to be potentially suitable for development. We are inviting your feedback on our current and future approach to development at these sites.