Purpose

In 2024 government issued significant changes
to national planning policy and a revised standard method figure of
housing need. The revised housing need figure for Bath & North
East Somerset is more than double than that of the previous
government. As a result the Council decided in 2024 to reset
preparation of its Local Plan in order to consider the implications
of changed policy and to enable progression towards a sound Local
Plan. Resetting the Local Plan requires the Council to prepare and
consult on a further set of options for meeting the substantially
increased level of housing need, associated job growth and some new
policy approaches. The report seeks approval of a reset Local Plan
options document for consultation commencing in October this
year.

Decision

(1) 
To approve the Reset Local Plan Options document
(Appendix 1 of the report) for public consultation for a period of
six weeks from 3rd October to 14th November
2025, subject to the amendments set out in the schedule to the
revised officer recommendation.
 
(2) 
To agree and authorise the Executive Director for
Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Members
for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development and
Communications and Community, to issue communications relating to
the reset Local Plan Options and to undertake consultation as
summarised in section 10 of the report and outlined in the
communications and engagement plan (Appendix 2 of the
report).
 
(3) 
To delegate authority to the Executive Director for
Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member
for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, to
agree textual changes to the Options document (Appendix 1 of the
report) prior to its publication for consultation.