Joint Local Access Forum (JLAF)
for Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City and South Gloucestershire
July2016JLAF: Background Papers
Some items on the agenda are addressed verbally at the meeting, thus papers are not available for every item on the agenda.
B:MAIN BUSINESS
B1: Natural England – Coastal Path
Map of the stretch
Natural England has begun to investigate how to improve coastal access along a 80 km stretch of the Severn Estuary between Aust and Brean Down. This new access is expected to be ready in 2017.
Officers from South Gloucestershire, Bristol, North Somerset and Somerset are providing Natural England with expert local advice and helping to make sure there is full consultation with local interests during the development of the route.
Stage of progress
Stage 2 and 3: Develop and Propose
Natural England is now visiting all the land on this stretch of coast that is likely to be affected by our proposals and discussing the options in detail with:
- people who own or manage the land
- relevant local and national organisations who have an interest in the stretch
After final discussions have been held with those who have a legal interest in the land, Natural England will begin refining and checking their proposals to improve access to this stretch of coast. This may start sooner for some sections of the stretch than others.
The proposals will be finalised and then published in a report to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This is expected to take place in 2016. Once published, the report will be available on GOV.UK and advertised in the local press.
Copies of the report will be placed in council offices and other appropriate locations in the local area for people to view.
Natural England will contact affected owners and occupiers and the local and national organisations that must be notified by law, to make sure they’re aware that the report has been published.
Next steps
Stage 4: Determine
Once the report has been published, you’ll have 8 weeks to comment on the proposals.
Anyone who wishes to comment will be able to make a representation on the report and owners or occupiers of affected land will be able to make an objection.
The Secretary of State will consider all representations and objections before making a decision about approval of Natural England’s report.
More Information:
B2: Increasing Effectiveness – LAF Review
Natural England has a responsibility set out in the CROW Act (section 19 of the 2007 regulations for Local Access Forums) to receive annual reports from all LAFs. This report summarises all of the LAF annual reports received covering the period April 2014 to March 2015. The report highlights some of the achievements reported, provides statistics on LAFs and the activities they have undertaken, identifies issues and makes recommendations on improvements that could be made.
B3: West of England Joint Spatial Plan
The West of England Joint Spatial Plan is a direct response to the real and growing need for new and affordable homes to be built and supported with infrastructure.
Estimates indicate that to maintain its current prosperity, the area needs 85,000 new homes by 2036, nearly 30,000 more than the number already planned.
The area’s four local authorities – Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset – have come together to tackle this challenge in a joined-up, strategic way that will deliver the necessary housing and employment alongside improved transport and other infrastructure.
Along with the Joint Spatial Plan, the West of England’s four local authorities are working together on a Joint Transport Study. This seeks to build on a strong recent track record of attracting transport investment. Currently, more than £500m is being spent to improve transport.
Issues and Options consultation – November 2015 to January 2016
This issues and options consultation provided a chance to tell us how you think homes, employment and other infrastructure should be provided in the West of England over the next 20 years. We have received hundreds of responses. The responses received will be taken into account in preparing the next stage of the Joint Spatial Plan. There will be further consultation on this, likely in Autumn 2016
What is the Joint Spatial Plan?
The Joint Spatial Plan (JSP) is a statutory planning document that will set out the number of houses needed and the broad locations for housing, employment, transport and other infrastructure for the next 20 years.
The Joint Spatial Plan is strategic, rather than specific, and in the first place will identify broadly a number of the most suitable locations for development. Following testing and further research, some of these sites will be deemed inappropriate; meanwhile other sites may come into consideration. It’s important to keep in mind that not all the locations identified will be developed.
Find out more about the types of development and potential locations we are talking about and the spatial scenarios we are evaluating and want your views on.
To support the publication of the Joint Spatial Plan a range of technical papers and evidence have also been published.
C1: Lawrence Weston Neighbourhood Development Plan
About:
• Post war council estate, North West Bristol
• Resident population 6,500
• Area of high deprivation particularly in relationto income, health and child poverty
• 55% of housing stock currently social housingpredominantly local authority housing
• Loss of facilities and services + poor transport
• Many derelict sites including former secondaryschool
Subsequent Meeting Dates
The following are dates for full meetings of the JLAF, following a pattern of once every 4months:
Event/Meeting / Date / LocationNovember JLAF Meeting / 11/11/2016 / Community Room, Keynsham Library
March JLAF Meeting / 03/03/2017 / Community Room, Keynsham Library
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