Radstock Town Council has published a damning response to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s draft Local Plan, saying it “doesn’t make sense.”
The 24-page document forms the town council’s response to the public consultation, which opened on September 18.
The representations set out the Town Council’s view on the draft Local Plan are a frank assessment of its legal compliance, soundness and readiness for examination.
Each representation identifies the relevant policy or supporting evidence and explains the Town Council’s concerns, where it considers that a policy or proposal does not meet the required tests, and sets out the changes it believes are necessary.
The damning response lists a whole host of issues with the plan where the council has deemed it unsound or lacking in legal compliance.
From the outset the council disputes the very strategy behind the document questioning how Radstock and the city of Bath both fall within the same tier of settlement.
The town council response states: “This classification simply doesn’t make sense.
“Bath is a city of 95,000 people with two railway stations including a mainline to London and Bristol, an extensive bus network, good links to the motorway system, two universities, a college, regional hospital, a regional shopping centre, and extensive social facilities.
“Radstock is a small town of only 6,000 people with a small-town centre offering limited facilities. The two places are not comparable, and it is therefore not justified in treating them equally.”
The damning document further states: “The Local Plan strategy is not likely to be a positive approach for Radstock. It does not respond to the challenges of the town or set out a vision for the town’s growth.
“The proposals would entail an 82 percent increase in the town’s housing stock, with no vision or provision of amenities and infrastructure support proposed within the Local Plan.
“Brownfield sites, including the Radstock Cooperative site and the former Welton Bibby and Brown factory, have been left vacant and derelict for many years within Radstock and the Somer Valley.
“The Local Plan makes no requirement to redevelop these sites instead, allocating precious green field sites (which are an easier option for development),” concluding: “Such a massive expansion of the town does not accord with the Plan’s own priority of ‘Maintaining local character and distinctiveness’.”
Radstock Town Council has hosted one of two public drop-in sessions, inviting residents to view the representations document, discuss the issues raised and share any additional comments they would like the Town Council to consider.
The next drop in session will take place on Saturday, October 24 from 10am to 12pm at Radstock Community Hub and Library.
A spokesperson said: “The Town Council recognises the importance of the Local Plan in shaping the future of Radstock and the wider area.
“It is therefore keen to ensure that local considerations are properly represented and that residents have an opportunity to understand the issues raised and contribute their views.”
The B&NES draft Local Plan consultation closes on October 30.