Lidl to open soon

Although we have been here before and the opening of Lidl has been delayed several times, we feel that from the information we have recently received, it gives an indication that Lidl will open by the second week of April.

The matter is down to BT to complete their work on site which should have been done last year although Lidl have apologised to the public for the store not opening there has been deathly silence from BT.

We will of course publish the exact date of opening as soon as we have permission to release it from Lidl.

Land Cleared up at Last

I looked through my records the other day and it does not seem like nine years that i have been on about this piece of land and the mess that it was in.

Despite many requests to British Land it seemed like nothing was going to happen.

Then a chance meeting between British Land and Council officials where the condition of this land was raised seemed to work miracles.


I am sure that other residents are as pleased as I am that this land that is beside the former Seven Stars public house and directly opposite Bathwick Tyres is at long last in a condition that we can be proud of on the entrance to the city.

Can I thank those officials and British land for at long last sorting this out.

Fly tipping

We have asked for this old mattress that has been dumped alongside Polamco to be removed as soon as possible.

It is annoying that as we start to get this area cleaned up we get people dumping in the area.

If you saw the person who dumped this then please let us know.

Weston Lock

We are pleased to see the tidying of the land outside of McDonald's with new fencing being erected grass and gravel put down.

We hope that this area will stay tidy.

On a further matter we are hearing that there are changes being made to the main retail unit PC World & Currys with a new retail outlook being proposed for half of the unit.

We will investigate this further and come back with a more detailed report in the next few weeks.

Former Herman Miller Site

Lidl have confirmed that they have instructed contractors to cut the grass at the Former Herman Miller site early next week.

It is important that we keep this site in a clean and tidy state whilst we are waiting for construction of the new Lidl store.

Some initial work has commenced, however, we are still awaiting confirmation of when the main works will be undertaken.

We will update you further as soon as more information is known.

Lidl ( another step forward )

The prospect of a Lidl store in Bath has taken another significant step forward to day with Bath & North East Somerset Council announcing proposals for the closure of Fieldings Road for a period of up to six months to allow road alterations.

The closure will also allow a period for construction to take place.

The closure will be from 27th May 2014 as advertised in the statement below.

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

(FIELDING’S ROAD, BATH) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) ORDER 2014

Notice is given that Bath and North East Somerset Council in exercise of its powers under section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 intends to make an orderthe effect of which will be to temporarily introduce a road closure in that length ofFielding’s Road, Bath extending from its junction with Lower Bristol Road for its entirety.

This order is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road to facilitate highway reconstruction for retail development in the carriageway and will be operative on 27th May 2014 for a maximum period of sixmonths. The road will only be restricted as and when traffic signs are in position andmay not be effected for the whole of the period but only for so long as is necessary to execute the works. This is anticipated to be for three months.

Bath Press Site

We understand that there are movements on the Former Bath Press site and that further
announcements will be made about what sort of development is proposed in the near future.

We made it very clear at the time that we thought the the proposed development of the Tesco store and its size was far too big for the area and it seems that the Government inspector agreed with us.

The Councils Core strategy has 100 houses allocated on this site and this must form part of any new application.

We believe that the site is quite capable of taking this amount of housing as well as business units and may be even a small store.

The information will be out in the next few weeks but by the information that we are receiving we do not think we are far off the mark with any new planning application for this site.

We will publish any further information as soon as we have it.

Bath Half (Road Closures)

Access to the Lower Bristol Road will be restricted by both car and on foot tomorrow morning as the Bath Half Marathon goes along the Lower Bristol Road.

The Link to the leaflet giving times of road closures and parking restrictions is given on this link .

Bath Half Road Closures

The half marathon covers a two lap 13.1 mile (21.1km) traffic-free course straddling both sides of the River Avon. The race starts and finishes in Great Pulteney Street, in the heart of the World Heritage City of Bath.

This annual event attracts thousands of runners and spectators alike please have a look from the vantage points but remember the restrictions.

McDonald's Lower Bristol Road.

We have a planning application for the Installation of a dormer roof, extension of patio area and installation of 3 patio benches at McDonald's on the lower Bristol Road.

Application reference: 14/00448/FUL received on 30/01/2014

Planning Portal reference: PP-03159032

If you would like to comment on this application or view the plans then follow the link below.

Mcdonalds, Weston Lock Retail Park, Lower Bristol Road, Westmoreland, Bath, BA2 1EP

Lidl update

Just a short update on the progress since Lidl gained planning permission for the redevelopment of Part of the former Herman Miller site on the Lower Bristol Road.

I have had contact with Lidl in the past few days who tell me they are now putting together the development schedule for the site of which they have offered to share with me later this week and as soon as I have it it will feature heavily on this blog.

What they have told me is their commitment to ensuring the store is developed by the summer of this year so we can all look forward to some cheaper shopping in time for next Christmas.


By Councillor Sharon Ball

Part of Twerton High Street to Close for 5 nights

A small section of Twerton High Street will be closed from its Junction with the A36 Lower Bristol Road through to its Junction with Shophouse Road.

The road will be closed from 12 midnight to 6am for 5 nights from 13th January 2014.

The closure is needed so that the vegetation and re pointing of the railway embankment can be carried out.

This is work that has been asked for by us for some time now and we are pleased that it is happening as this should make this area much better and cleaner to look at.

By Councillor Sharon Ball

Tesco planning appeal update

Residents have been asking when a decision will be made on the Tesco planning appeal that took place in July at Bath City Football Club.

What have made a few enquiries and can report that the inspector is expected to report on the to the planning appeal to the Secretary of state by 23rd September and the final decision issued by16th December 2013, so we do not expect a answer any time soon.

We will report on the appeal result as soon as we have it.

Changes to 15 Bus Service

There are changes to the 15 Bus Service that may help local residents but time will tell. We will post more details as soon as we have them, they will certainly affect the student community.

The Timetable has been amended. 


The service will no longer serve Grand Parade and will operate from Bath Bus Station bay 15 instead.
 
The service will operate direct along Lower Bristol Road before continuing its normal route over Windsor Bridge and along Newbridge Road. 

It will no longer operate via Lower Oldfield Park or Brougham Hayes. 

A new service 15A will operate from Lower Oldfield Park to Bath Spa University on Mondays to Fridays (except Bank Holidays). 

Residents surgery Saturday 6th July

Councillor Sharon Ball & Sarah Moore will be holding another of their hugely popular residents surgeries again this Saturday.

The surgery will take place at Charlton court student block on the Lower Bristol Road from 1pm till 3pm on 6th July and there is no appointment needed.

So for Westmoreland residents who want to talk to us on various local issues or simply need a little help or advice then pop in an see us.

Sharon said: "There are many issues in our area that residents may want to discuss like the planning appeal for Tesco or the Sainsbury's planning application, whatever it is we are happy to talk about it."

Ponding at Lower Bristol Bus Shelter

I have asked for the council to deal with the issue of the flooding of the kerbside gutter at the Bellotts Road bus shelter.

This matter has been going on for some time now but the fact remains that rain water cannot reach the drain because the tarmac on either side creates a barrier.

It is not going to take a great deal of effort to resolve this problem and I hope that it will soon be sorted.

By Cllr Sharon Ball

Lidl Lower Bristol Road

Sharon & Sarah Moore on site

I have had a very good meeting with Lidl on the Herman Miller site on the Lower Bristol Road Last Week.

The meeting was supposed to include Mr Ian Caukwell who owns part of the land who pulled out of the meeting at the last moment and did not turn up despite assurances that he would.

Lidl have restated their determination to deliver a store on the site and I would hope that Mr Caukwell would also show his resolve and allow this development to move forward.



By Cllr Sharon Ball