Two local councillors have welcomed the news that Bath & North East Somerset Council has begun a formal challenge to Network Rail’s plans to build a maintenance yard in Bathampton.
Bathavon North councillors Martin Veal and Geoff Ward (Cons) welcomed the news that Bath & North East Somerset Council has begun the process of formally challenging Network Rail’s plans to build a maintenance yard on Bathampton Meadows without planning permission under so-called ‘permitted development rights’.
The Council has confirmed that it has written to Network Rail, and issued a Planning Contravention Notice (PCN), the first step of a formal enforcement process against potential planning breaches.
Network Rail then has a period of 21 days in which to respond to the PCN, after which the Council will be in a position to consider the most appropriate course of action to rectify any breach.
Councillor Martin Veal (Cons, Bathavon North) said: “Geoff Ward and I are very pleased that the Council is taking firm action against Network Rail’s attempt to build on the Meadows without going through the usual planning process.
“It strikes most people as very wrong for Network Rail to try and build on the Meadows using a planning loophole, and the Council has now confirmed that it believes the works do not constitute permitted development and therefore could represent a breach of planning control.
“By going through the proper planning process this would give those of us with concerns about the plans the chance to voice these concerns in an open and democratic forum.
“The site is within both the Green Belt and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is adjacent to the Hampton Rocks site of Special Scientific Interest.
“It’s only right that we as Councillors and the residents we represent get the chance to argue that this would constitute inappropriate development of this site.”