Bath businesses are being invited to have their say on the type of homes, employment sites and vital transport links that will be needed by the West of England over the next 20 years.
The West of England Combined Authority is seeking comments to help it shape its Spatial Development Strategy, a draft planning blueprint that will influence key aspects of the region for the next two decades. 
The strategy will help make sure people have the homes they need where they want to live and with the connections for them to get to job opportunities, education and leisure.
It also offers an opportunity to plan for a cleaner, greener recovery, ensuring development is resilient, contributes towards reducing carbon emissions and brings improvements for nature and sustainability.
The strategy reflects the way Covid-19 has altered the way many people are working, travelling and spending their leisure time.
It also takes account of the West of England’s growing population and the fact that people are living longer – both of which means the type of housing needed across the West of England is changing.
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “This Spatial Development Strategy will make sure that over the next 20 years we are building homes in the right places so that the West of England remains a great place to live and work.
“Importantly, it will also make sure we are building sustainable communities that are less reliant on cars, improving our environment and connecting our residents to jobs, education, businesses and leisure facilities right across the region.
“Whether you are a resident, business or other organisation based in the West of England, I want to make sure you have your chance to get your voice heard at this early stage of the process, so that as the work progresses it reflects the priorities of the people who live and work here.”
The West of England Combined Authority is working with Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils, stakeholders and residents to develop the plan.
Bath & North East Somerset Council cabinet member for housing, planning and economic development Tim Ball, pictured, said: “We are committed to working collaboratively to plan for the West of England’s future housing, employment and transport needs and this is more important than ever as the whole region recovers from the effects of Covid-19.
“The Spatial Development Strategy will directly affect how people in Bath and North East Somerset live, work and enjoy leisure time so I’d encourage everyone in the district to submit their views. Over the next two decades we need development that meets people’s needs but is also sustainable to help meet our goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.”.
The survey closes on December 14. Responses are the first step in developing a draft of the Spatial Development Strategy alongside technical evidence and studies. Once the draft is completed and published next year it will be subject to a full statutory consultation, providing the opportunity to formally comment on the proposed plan.
Once the Spatial Development Strategy is agreed and published, it will form part of the ‘development plan’ alongside council’s own Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans which will be considered when determining planning applications across the region.
For more information and the survey visit https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/future-of-the-region/
