Bath and North East Somerset Council has initiated a public consultation to gather feedback on potential sites for over 27,000 new homes required by government targets to be built across the area by 2043. This is part of the council’s update to its local plan, a critical policy document that directs planning decisions and specifies where housing developments should be permitted.
The new local plan will cover up to the year 2043 and is essential in guiding development in a way that aligns with community needs and sustainability goals. Without an updated plan, the council’s ability to control planning applications and prevent unwanted developments is significantly weakened.
This consultation, launched on October 3, represents an early stage of the plan’s development, presenting options for which sites may be allocated for housing. It follows an earlier consultation in spring 2024, which considered half the number of houses currently required. The increase in housing targets—from around 13,500 to 27,000 homes—comes after the change in government, prompting the council to revisit its site options.
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Council cabinet member for the built environment, housing, and sustainable development, Matt McCabe, emphasized the importance of local input in assessing these proposals. He noted that while many sites were developer-led, the council is proposing four large-scale development areas: Hicks Gate, Keynsham North, West of Bath, and Somer Valley near Midsomer Norton. These sites vary in size, with the Keynsham North area potentially accommodating up to 2,400 homes, though this would involve relocating Avon Valley Country Park to a nearby location.
McCabe highlighted the strategy to concentrate growth along key corridors, including the A4 transport corridor between Bristol and Bath and the Somer Valley, aiming to leverage planned infrastructure investments that will support sustainable community development.
Other significant developer-proposed sites include West/South West Keynsham, East Whitchurch, South East Whitchurch, North Radstock, and Writhlington, each potentially adding around or over 1,000 homes. Additionally, numerous smaller sites throughout villages in the district are also under consideration.
The consultation period runs from October 3 to November 14, and feedback from the earlier 2024 consultation will continue to inform the process. Council leader Kevin Guy reaffirmed the council’s commitment to responsible development that balances the urgent need for housing with necessary infrastructure, services, and employment opportunities. The focus remains on strategic, well-planned sites rather than scattered, random development.
After public consultation on these options, the council will draft the detailed local plan and carry out a further consultation expected in spring or summer 2026. Subsequent government examination and approval processes aim to finalize the plan by summer 2027, enabling its formal implementation.