BREAKING NEWS: Bath Press Site

We have become aware of a pending planning application on the Bath Press Site for 300 flats and 30,000 square feet of office employment space.

We are led to believe the the front facade is to remain and that all residential accommodation will be at the rear with all parking underground.

We are aware that some of this will alarm some residents so will post full information on line at www.sharonball.org.uk including a residents consultation.

We will also deliver a paper copy to all affected residents within the next two weeks.

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.

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.

Good meeting with Residents Southview Road

I would like to say a big thank you to all of the residents of Southview Road who greeted Sarah Moore and me with such warmth last night.

Many issues were raised and we will be reporting back to individual residents over the coming week on matters that they have raised.

It was also good to be able to clarify the position on the Bath Press site that has now had its designation changed in the councils Core Strategy to a site for mixed use development with 100 houses of which 30% would be affordable homes and a moderate size supermarket, we are glad we lobbied for this change.

It was also noted that Tesco has raised an appeal over the refusal of the council to grant it permission for a hypermarket on the Bath Press site and any residents with and opinion should still write to the Planning inspector who's details are listed on a previous entry on this web site.

By Councillor Sharon Ball

Relief in sight for Local residents

Westmoreland residents can feel a sigh of relief as the council approves its core Strategy.

The Bath Press site that has been subject to a Tesco hypermarket planning application has had its designation changed in the emerging Core Strategy to a site of mixed development with an allocation for over 100 new homes.

"This element of the Core Strategy makes a huge hypermarket on the Bath Press site very unlikely says Westmoreland ward councillor Sharon Ball, but it still leaves room for a modest size store that would be more in keeping with the area".

The Core strategy was approved by a full Council of Bath & North East Somerset on Monday night that included housing growth figures of 12,700 new homes to be built by 2029, with an element of over 3,000 affordable homes.

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Sarah Moore said: "I have always thought that there was a need for a modest store on this side of the City and the Core strategy helps to deliver this".

The Core Strategy is now out for consultation and if you want to read more and make a comment then follow this link. Core Strategy

Sarah Moore's speech in favour of the core strategy can be found here.

 I would like to urge the council to all vote for the core strategy proposed this evening.

BANES is in desperate need of more affordable family and social housing, far too many of my family and friends have been forced to move out of the area due to high housing costs.

My family tree can be traced back to the early 1700's in the BANES area, but if you do not act soon,  feel there will be no family homes for my children to afford .

The high prices on one side of the city coupled with the significant number of HMO's on the other has limited the options for far too long and will only get worse.

You need to reduce the number of properties able to become HMO's sooner rather than later and allow for more affordable homes to be built.

If large companies such as Tesco and Sainsbury were to reduce their footprint for stores in the area there would be more room for affordable houses to be built, enabling lower paid residents the opportunity of owning their own home.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all councillors and council staff that took part in the bath half yesterday and also the council employees who managed to get the route clean and open so quickly.

Tesco Pull out of Bath Press application

Tesco have today withdrawn plans for a redevelopment of the Bath Press site the included a new super store and new office space as well as community space and social Housing.

A planning application was due to be heard by the council Development Control committee on Wednesday this week.

Tesco have said that they are reviewing their plans for the site and will consider putting in another planning application at a later date when they have finished their review.

Tesco Petition

Councillor Sharon Ball received a petition on the steps of the Guildhall from residents concerning the Tesco application on the former Bath Press site.

The Petition signed by 869 residents was collected by June Player a resident who lives close to The Former Bath Press site.

The Petition Reads

We the undersigned do not want the Bath Press site to be demolished to become a TESCO. This location will bring about the demise of Moorland Road an 'rip out the heart' of the community, will cause even greater Chaos/ congestion and pollution, plus drink related problems in a residential area. Whatever is built here must keep the Facade.

Sharon is handing the petition into the council so that it can form part of the consideration of the Tesco planning application.

If you want to know more of the application then follow the link to view it on the councils planning web site. Tesco application