SouthdownBath

The Government is trying to flood the region with housing that is not justified not viable and not wanted. Even despite the current financial crises its plans are based on dubious estimates. The Council endorsed 15,000 over a 20 year period. Already a tough ask. The regional assembly moved this upto 18,000 and the government has moved it ever higher and upto 21,300. In addition it has scrapped the regional assembly and has handed all power to deliver its plans to the unelected quango of the RDA and created yet another regional quango arm to deliver it called the housing and communities agency.

Email sent out on 21 Sept to Southdown Residents.

Dear Southdown Resident

We are writing to discuss the important issue of housing suppply and the government's proposals on this. Every Council in the Country has to agree with Central Government a document called The Regional Spatial Strategy for the next 20 years. Put simply, this identifies the number of new houses, jobs, roads, schools and facilities that a Council plans for its area. The main issues that concern residents are where these houses, roads and schools will be built and the numbers being planned for. As a Council we submitted a plan to the Region last year that included 15,500 new homes across the area. The Region has increased this to over 18,000 and the Government has since increased the number even further to more than 21,000 new houses in Bath and NE Somerset. The Council has responded to the Region and the Government as you can see in the attached word document.

The Liberal Democrats are planning to also submit their own individual response because:

1) The Liberal Democrat Councillors are appalled that the Government should be increasing the number the Council put forward by over a third.

2) We do not agree with the downgrading of environmental standards in the Government response and we are completely opposed to the Government view which would bring forward green belt options at an early stage of the plan. We do not think the case has been made to change our green belt at this point.

3) We think that much more attention needs to be given to the needs of young families and families on low income.

4) We think the Government need to address our infrastructure deficit (road and rail links) as the plan progresses and not at a late stage.

Before we submit our response though we are consulting with residents across Bath for their views. Please attend and give us your views. Don Foster MP will also be chairing a public meeting at the Guildhall on Tuesday 30th this month in the Guildhall at 7.30 pm. This meeting will help inform him on views from Bath in advance of his meeting with the Minister responsible planed for early October. You are all welcome to the meeting but if you are unable to attend please let us know your views by contacting Don directly using the reply facility on this email. If you send your views to Don then we would appreciate a copy of your reply as well. Thank you for your time and thoughts on this important matter. 

Any comments?

Ward: Southdown App Ref: 08/02630/FUL

Registered: 14th September 2008 Expiry Date: 9th November 2008

Location: 55 Blackmore Drive Twerton Bath BA2 1JW

Proposal: Erection of conservatory to rear

Councils subsidise bus routes that are not economically viable for a number of reasons - social cohesion being one of the main ones. The new Conservative administration is now reviewing these subsidies. Here in the Southdown area there are a number of subsidised routes that are important to a number of residents.

Below is a copy of the email we have just sent to a number of residents in Southdown. We would value your thoughts on these routes if you use any of the services listed or indeed if you use other bus services or no bus services. Please email us at paul_crossley@bathnes.gov.uk or dine_romero@bathnes.gov.uk

Dear Southdown Resident  

The Council supports a number of bus services with a subsidy to  ensure that they continue to operate. All bus routes in the 700 range are Council supported services. In addition a number of other routes are supported.   The following subsidised routes are open for comment that affect Southdown, Whiteway and Kingsway areas.   The Conservative Cabinet will be deciding on whether to continue or reduce these subsidies.   Dine and I would be grateful for any comments you have on any of these routes. For your information we include the notes on each route from the Council consultation process.   We would be also grateful if you have for any other comments you may have on any of the bus services you use so that we can raise your concerns or issues with the bus operators.  

BUS - subsidised routes - CONSULTATION    

All consultees are invited to submit their views on the timetabling, routing, frequency, or any other matter affecting one or more of the individual services.  Comments and suggestions as to service alternatives, and in particular any ideas that would achieve worthwhile economies to the authority, are most welcome. 

We would also wish councillors to be aware of a number of issues being considered in respect of individual services:

SERVICE 20A/20C

The operational performance of this service is under review, and route revisions may be required to enable the service to operate using the current cost base of 3 vehicles.  Service elements under review include the service via Purlewent Drive in Weston, the service via Hawthorne Grove in Fox Hill, and the diversion into Sainsbury's car park at Green Park.

Bath Circular - Mon - Friday:  6 journeys at hourly intervals in each direction between peak hours , and 4 journeys at hourly intervals in each direction during the evening.  Saturday: An hourly service in each direction during the day.

Three bus operation off peak Mon-Fri and all day Saturday.   Patronage down 40% on previous year but now apparently stable on a month to month basis, with recent signs of improvement.

SERVICE 704

On Sundays - and only on Sundays, this service operates via Eastway and Haycombe Drive in Whiteway.  This element may be transferred to the Hollow.

Whiteway - Bath Centre  Sun & BH: 9 journeys in each direction at hourly intervals during the day

Patronage increased 10% (Apr-Dec '07 vs prior year) Incomplete data for full year.

SERVICE 42

 Park&Ride at Odd Down - RUH  - Mon-Fri: half hour frequency service in each direction

Two bus operation 06:40-19:20 Mon- Fri.  Service supported by a financial contribution from the RUH, whose staff pay a reduced fare.  Patronage growth of 5% over the year - drive

SERVICE  717

Weston - Bath Centre - Kingsway   Mon-Sat: 5 journeys in each direction during the evening

Patronage increased 1% (Apr-Dec '07 vs prior year) Incomplete data for full year.

Paul and Dine

Three this week for comment.

Ward:Southdown App Ref: 08/02955/FUL

Registered: 29th August 2008 Expiry Date: 24th October 2008

Location: 32 Mount Road Southdown Bath BA2 1LE

Proposal: Erection of a two storey 3 bed dwelling

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Ward: Southdown App Ref: 08/03077/FUL

Registered: 4th September 2008 Expiry Date: 30th October 2008

Location: 35 Blackmore Drive Twerton Bath BA2 1JW

Proposal: Erection of a two storey side extension (Resubmission)

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Ward: Southdown App Ref: 08/03308/FUL

Registered: 2nd September 2008 Expiry Date: 28th October 2008

Location: 15 Glebe Road Southdown Bath BA2 1JB

Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension and first floor side extension