May deadline for transport scheme decision

By pwiltshire

Scores of documents have been uploaded onto a council website giving details of the most controversial planning applications in Bath for 15 years.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has set itself a deadline of May 21 to deal with the applications relating to its Bath Transportation Package.

And anyone wanting to object to the proposals - which include the Bus Rapid Transit scheme through Newbridge and a new park-and-ride site at Bathampton - will have to get get their heads around the documents quickly.

The deadline for public comments on the BRT is February 23, while comments on the Bathampton scheme have to be in by February 20.

This is in line with a 21-day consultation period for applications.

The council's development control committee will decide on the applications but the schemes may be judged so contentious that they need to be called in by ministers so they can have the final say.

The schemes are part of a £60 million council programme to tackle congestion but have provoked opposition at opposite ends of the city.

The applications are for:

* the new Bathampton Meadows Park and Ride

* expansion of the Lansdown Park and Ride site

* expansion of the Odd Down Park and Ride site

* expansion of the Newbridge Park and Ride site and the Bus Rapid Transit scheme.

There are nearly 200 documents - such as transport and environmental assessments - to accompany this last application alone.

In a statement, B&NES said: "Any representations received by B&NES planning services will be taken into account in determining whether or not planning permission is granted for the schemes."

The quickest link to the applications is: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/majordevelopments/Bath+Transportation+Package.htm

Hard copies of the application documents are available to view at the planning services office in Trim Street and will later this week be lodged at the library in The Podium.

More detailed information on the planning process, and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about applications are on the website: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/planning/developmentcontrol/frequentlyaskedquestions.htm