No-shows upset residents
The group had been hoping to discuss plans for a homeless shelter at numbers 3 and 4 London Road.
But Somer, the area's largest landlord which will oversee the project, did not send a representative to the meeting at Snow Hill Christian Centre.
The 65-unit building would be next door to The Longacre Tavern, close to where Paul Kelly was killed on New Year's Day last year.
Alex Schlesinger, of the London Road and Snow Hill Partnership, said he had received an apology from the police, who were attending the fire at the SouthGate development.
Mr Schlesinger said: "We have major problems with alcohol, drug abuse and crime. We have had two murders in the past two years.
"The powers-that-be need to engage with the community. We all accept the police had to be elsewhere. But where were the councillors, the council officers and Somer?"
Mr Schlesinger said the venue of the meeting had been changed two weeks ago and the police had not even been told.
"What does all this tell the community about official goodwill towards the whole concept of public consultation in general and the PACT meetings in particular."
As well as the proposed development, the agenda included the controversial rapid bus transit proposals, road safety and pollution.
Mike Grist, group director of business development, said Somer had decided not to attend because the discussions tended to focus on Somer's plans, instead of "other important issues on the PACT agenda".
He said that Somer was well acquainted with the community's particular concerns.
"We want to try to address these concerns as much as we are able – particularly with regard to design issues that were raised by local residents directly affected by our proposals.
"With this in mind, we have revised our drawings and are waiting for feedback from Bath and North East Somerset Council planners.
"When we have this feedback, we will then hold further information events with residents to update them on our proposals."
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