Plans to bring investment to Bath and the Somer Valley have been “cautiously welcomed” by Bath & North East Somerset Council, which has expressed concerns about the impact they may have.
The Guildhall in Bath
Two sites in the district have been included in a proposal by the West of England Combined Authority to attract investment from the government’s proposed Investment Zones scheme.
B&NES Council has raised concerns over how the investment plans could affect local nature and planning frameworks.
The sites put forward for the scheme are:
- The Bath City Enterprise Zone, which includes Bath Quays: The regeneration project is already delivering high-quality workspace in the heart of Bath, with more in the pipeline.
- The Somer Valley Enterprise Zone (SVEZ): Once developed, the site at Old Mills could create 1,300 new jobs for local people.
Although the government policy is yet to be finalised, Investment Zones could benefit from a range of tax incentives over the next ten years including relief on business rates, stamp duty land tax and employer national insurance contributions.
The government has also suggested that they could also see simplified planning rules, but this has raised concerns within B&NES council.
Bath & North East Somerset Council, alongside Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council have worked with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to submit an initial expression of interest (EOI) to central government.
Councillor Mark Roper, Cabinet member for Economic Development, Regeneration & Growth, said: “The council will always investigate any opportunities that could attract new investment to the area, supporting businesses and encouraging high-quality new jobs.
“However, whilst it’s right that we explore these possibilities, we will be seeking assurances about the potential impacts of these proposed Investment Zones – particularly on environmental protection and planning – before we make any final decisions.
“Protecting nature is key to tackling the climate and ecological emergency and promoting biodiversity and green space is central to our plans for green renewal and sustainable economic development. These things must go hand in hand.
“We are waiting for further details of the Investment Zones to be released by the government, but the council reserves the right to withdraw its participation in the expression of interest if the proposed changes in planning and environmental legislation could have an adverse effect on B&NES planning, climate emergency and ecological emergency policies for the areas concerned.”
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Planning said: “We have been working hard to bring the Bath Quays and Somer Valley Enterprise Zone projects to fruition, and have made good progress so far, with much-needed high-quality workspace provided in Bath and planning for the SVEZ well underway.
“These schemes have been developed within our robust local planning frameworks and we would be very concerned about talk of national changes to the planning system being associated with these Investment Zones.
“We need incentives, investment and support from central government to speed up and finalise delivery so we can deliver high-quality, sustainable, jobs in these areas.”
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, has also written to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to express the council’s serious concerns about the risks to nature and the environment posed by the government’s approach to growth, highlighting that degrading the natural environment would be contradictory to achieving growth by, for example, reducing food security, reducing people’s health and productivity, and leading to greater impacts on people and businesses due to flooding.
The council has said it now awaits further information from central government in response to the submissions made by the West of England Combined Authority.
