Sharon Ball

The planning application to build a new student block on the Lower Bristol Road to house 333 students next to the current block was deferred by the development control committee of Bath & North East Somerset Council last night.

The reasons for deferral were for a 106 legal agreement to be put together that would include the installation of an off road lay by for buses to pull off at the site and for full details of the planned road widening scheme that would affect this site to be brought back for Development control committee member to consider.

If you want to view the application then follow this Link Student accommodation you can also make comments on this web link.

At the Full Council meeting of Bath & North East Somerset Council on 8^th May the whole council gave a new pledge to children and young people in care.

All councils across the UK are developing pledges as a result of a central Government initiative called Care Matters which sets out a radical package of proposals for transforming the lives of children in care.

The Council's pledge lists its promises to all children and young people in care and to young people moving from care to adult life.

Commitments to the young people include: a named social worker; involvement in decisions affecting their lives; a home that suits the individual; help to stay in touch with family and any other people important to them; help to do as well as possible at school and to develop talents, interests and hobbies; encouragement to be healthy; help and support to make a success of moving on from care to adult life.

The Council is always keen to recruit more foster carers and would encourage anyone interested to get in touch. Applications are welcome from people who are single, co-habiting or married. For more detailed information visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/, or contact the Council on 01225 394949, email fpt_duty@bathnes.gov.uk  or write to PO Box 3343, Bath, BA1 2ZH.  

St James investments are reported to have bought the former Bath Press site on the Lower Bristol Road for what is thought to be around £15million, it is understood that Tesco is also linked to this deal.

Local councillors will be seeking more details on this one as the main Bath Press building is not listed it could mean that the whole site could be developed which would cause concern for conservationists locally.

The Bath Press site closed last year with over 200 jobs being lost in the local community these jobs have not been replaced.

The Bath Press building over the last few months has become run down and it is important that something happens here and the site is tidied up in the short term, and I will be chasing the new owners to make sure that this happens. I also feel that this site needs to be used for employment purposes and will be looking to the developer to give us some assurances in this field.

The issue of shopping in this area is also a controversial one as the effects on other shopping outlets have to be considered, it should also be taken into account that Lidl supermarkets have expressed an interest in opening a store less than half a mile away on the former Herman Miller site.

I am pleased to see that St James investments have made comments in the local media and saying:

"It is too early to speculate about what might be appropriate for the site, but I am happy to say that we will be consulting with the community and stakeholders in forthcoming months.

"It is absolutely critical that we create the right proposals and this must not be rushed."

As a local councillor I will be certainly be holding them to just that and will also raise the issue with them about saving the buildings historic frontage.

Regular updates on proposals for this site will appear on this blog and if any other readers have had dealings with Tesco or St James investments then I would be pleased to receive their advice.

The application for new student accommodation that will accommodate 333 Students next to the current block on the Lower Bristol road goes before the Development control committee on Bath & North East Somerset Council on Wednesday 14^th May.

I am putting together my comments for this committee and would ask that if any local residents have an opinion one way or anther that they let me know in the next few days.

If you would like to see that application and read the comments that have been made so far then log on to this link STUDENT ACCOMODATION.

Residents can also comment on the application on line.

I am now into the last week of being Mayor of Bath and I can say that I have really enjoyed my year in office; I hand over my Chains next Saturday 17^th May at 11am in a lavish ceremony in Bath Abbey to which members of the public are very welcome to attend.

I could say that it would be nice to have a rest but that will be short lived as I will become Mayoress on the same day because my Husband is following me and becoming the Next Mayor of our wonderful city.

This is the last entry that I will be making as Mayor and this blog will be returning to giving political commentary.

I understand that my Husband will be writing a separate blog on his year in office and I will publish this link as soon as I have it.