Bath and North East Somerset Council has released a comprehensive list of potential housing development sites as part of its forthcoming local plan, aiming to meet a government-mandated target of over 27,000 new homes by 2043. The newly published 448-page “local plan options document” details areas that could be designated for housing, shaping the district’s growth and development policies for the next two decades.
This updated consultation, open from October 3 to November 14, follows a recent government increase in housing targets and builds on an earlier consultation conducted in 2024. By updating the plan, the council aims to maintain stronger control over where and how developments proceed, ensuring they align with local priorities.
Council cabinet member for built environment, housing, and sustainable development, Matt McCabe, emphasized the strategy’s emphasis on concentrated growth: “Scattering 27,000 houses across Bath and North East Somerset is not an option. To create a fairer, more prosperous, and sustainable economy while maximizing affordable housing delivery, we must focus on large, strategic sites.”
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The council has identified four primary development areas concentrated along the Bath to Bristol corridor and the Somer Valley, which are supported by regional growth strategies and infrastructure investments. These sites, proposed for focused development by the council itself, are complemented by numerous other locations put forward by private developers.
Highlights of the four key proposed sites include:
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Hicks Gate: An “exemplary” mixed-use development west of the Hicks Gate Roundabout, designed to complement Bristol City Council’s adjacent development. This site aims to preserve green spaces between Keynsham and Bristol while improving connectivity through a planned transport interchange.
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Western Keynsham: The largest council-proposed site, situated between the railway and the Avon River, presently including Avon Valley Country Park (which would be relocated). The development envisions new housing, student accommodation, a primary school, leisure facilities, and enhanced riverfront access for moorings and water-based activities.
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Eastern Bath (Triangle between Twerton, Pennyquick, and the A4): A cautiously proposed site that requires careful consideration due to its location within Bath’s greenbelt and World Heritage Site boundaries. Despite potential harm to heritage assets, the council seeks to explore whether significant public benefits could justify development here. Plans include an exemplary design approach and possibly relocating the Newbridge Park & Ride.
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North of Midsomer Norton: The only major proposed site outside the A4 corridor, this development would sit on a plateau separated from the town by a countryside buffer, preserving the area’s green hillside character. Access improvements would be an essential part of the project.
Beyond these four sites, the plan includes numerous other locations for potential housing growth, covering areas such as Keynsham, Radstock, Saltford, and the village of Whitchurch near Bristol. The full scope of development commitments includes thousands of homes already approved or under consideration.
The consultation also proposes new planning policies, including a possible ban on converting family homes in Bath into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), aiming to protect community character.
Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the consultation and attend in-person events throughout the district to share their views on the proposed housing plans.