4.17 It is crucial that new development is served by the timely provision of necessary supporting infrastructure, such as schools, health and social care facilities, utilities and green infrastructure. We are a direct provider of some of this infrastructure; we will identify requirements arising from any planned growth and seek to ensure timely provision to address these requirements. In addition, we will continue to liaise with other external infrastructure providers, such as utilities companies, in order to understand the following:
- Current gaps or surpluses in provision
- The infrastructure requirements arising from new development
- The most appropriate solutions
- Barriers to delivering these solutions
Where barriers to infrastructure provision are insurmountable, this would effectively prevent development taking place.
4.18 More detailed work on infrastructure requirements and delivery will be needed as the Local Plan progresses, and the potential location options that are presented in this document are explored further. In addition to understanding the infrastructure requirements relating to individual development locations, it will also be crucial to consider cumulative impact of development across a wider area both within and outside Bath and North East Somerset. For example, in relation to education and school places, health facilities and transport. Solutions will therefore need to address both location-specific and cumulative impacts.
4.19 Our Green Infrastructure (GI) Strategy is being updated using the new Natural England GI Framework (2023). The revised Strategy will guide delivery of our GI Policy and prioritising areas requiring investment to deliver multifunctional GI.
Work to determine infrastructure needs will be undertaken in collaboration with key infrastructure providers and agencies. Information from these discussions is referenced in the place-based chapters (5, 6, 7 and 8) and Development Management policy options of this document, and in the Infrastructure Topic Paper. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.
Discussion question
What do you think of the spatial strategy principles set out in this chapter (paragraphs 4.3 to 4.19), and their relative importance? Is there anything else you think we should include? Please give reasons for your answer.