Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) have now commenced preparation of a new Local Plan for the District and is asking communities to identify and nominate green areas to be designated as Local Green Spaces and protected from development.

Bath and NE Somerset Green Party is calling for members of the public to get involved as there is a real risk that these spaces might be lost.

Some local green spaces are already designated through the Placemaking Plan. These can be found via a map on the B&NES Council Web site.

Through the new Local Plan the Council will be considering whether additional Local Green Spaces should be designated. As such there is the opportunity for local communities to nominate land for potential designation. 

The public should contact their B&NES Councillor, Parish or Town Council and let them know how important the protection of green spaces is and whether they know of any areas which could be put forward as Local Green Space.

To be classified as a Local Green Space the area must be:

In reasonably close proximity to the community it serves;

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 Local in character and is not an extensive tract of land. 

For example, green areas could include land where sports pavilions, boating lakes or structures such as war memorials are located, allotments, or urban spaces that provide a tranquil oasis.

Green Party Councillor for Clutton and Farmborough, Sam Ross said: “Green areas are a vital part of our local communities and living rurally doesn’t preclude the need for them to be considered as being important and to safeguard them from development.

“Currently, not every Parish or Town Council has a Neighbourhood Plan in place that identifies these areas, so it is important to get them included in the new Local Plan if they aren’t already.

“If there’s a green area nearby that meets the criteria, residents are encouraged to get in touch with their local Parish/Town Council and make sure that they are considered for nomination so that these spaces continue to sustain the health, wellbeing and local landscape for future generations to enjoy.”

Green Party Councillor for Lambridge, Joanna Wright, said: "I would encourage everyone to take the time to look at what green spaces they cherish and use this opportunity to protect them through the council's green spaces application. 

“Our natural world needs us to ensure planning policy is robust and this is a direct way you can help."

The deadline for nominated sites to be submitted to the Council is Friday, 14th July.