By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: Plans for an expansion of the council headquarters in Bath, and a new McDonald’s in Weston-super-Mare are among the schemes people are trying to get planning permission for in Bath and North East Somerset.
All planning applications are available for public inspection on the council’s website. Most plans will be decided by council planning officers, but some of the most significant or contentious will go before the councils’ planning committee.
Planning committees are made up of elected councillors but decisions should be decided based on the council’s planning policies, not local politics — although it doesn’t always turn out that way.
Bath and North East Somerset Council could soon expand its headquarters in Bath’s historic Guildhall.
The iconic building near Pulteney Bridge houses the council chamber, Mayor’s parlour, and a number of council offices — although council officers are largely based at Keynsham Civic Centre. Now some minor internal works could bring more of the building into use.
A statement submitted with a planning application by the council said: “Though the building is the administrative focus for [Bath and North East Somerset Council], much of the north wing is presently under-used. The proposed works aim to make alterations to the existing office accommodation on the ground, first and second floors of the north wing of the Guildhall as part of the reorganisation of the council’s services.”
You can view and comment on the plans on the council website.
New holiday lets could soon be created right in the centre of Bath, in an attractive Georgian townhouse.
A planning application has been submitted to turn the upper floors above Adventure on George Street into holiday lets. The floors used to contain offices but all are vacant.
A statement submitted with the application said: “Currently the empty section of the building has no positive impact on the neighbourhood or city. The building only houses a ground floor restaurant.
“With the inclusion of the proposed holiday lets, the area would benefit. There would be further regular tourists which bring sustained economic benefits to the area. The ground floor restaurant would also likely benefit due to its close proximity and added footfall past its entrance. “
Bath Voice and Local Democracy Reporters
The journalists are funded by the BBC as part of its latest Charter commitment, but are employed by regional news organisations. A total of 165 reporters are allocated to news organisations in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland including Bath Voice. These organisations range from television and radio stations to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities, second-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
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