About this page
How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works
These site options pages contain the following sections:
Site background
- A broad description of the site, with map if appropriate
- An overview of development proposed or already in progress
- Relevant aspects of planning policy for this site
- The history and status of any planning applications for this site
Options for the new Local Plan
We may suggest one or more possible approaches:
- Keeping existing plans for this site as they are
- Making small changes to our approach, which may allow for changes
- Replacing the approach with something that is substantially different
- Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future
Each option will have a short analysis:
- Opportunities presented by the site option
- Constraints (obstacles which would need to be addressed)
- Mitigations (Measures that would be needed to reduce any harm development would cause)
- Further information we'd need to make a more in-depth assessment of the suitability of the site or option
Policy context note
- Where decisions about this site or option may affect how we approach other sites (or vice versa), we will add a note to explain
Explore this site option
Select a section below to read more.
7.33 Land immediately to the north of Radstock currently consists of agricultural fields, mostly on the plateau above the town. Bath Old Road, a historic route, runs through the area of search and has a few homes dotted along it. Trinity Church School sits at the southern edge with access to Woodborough Lane. The area is close to Radstock town centre in the south and is bordered by countryside to the north and east. The A367 runs along the western edge of the area of search with the small settlement of Clandown immediately beyond.
7.34 Landscape character is an important attribute in this area given that it sits above the rest of the town and forms part of the green setting of Radstock and the Conservation Area. The landscape and visual impacts of any new development would therefore need to be minimised and mitigated by integrating new development within a robust landscape planting framework and ensuring it blends in with the existing hillside that continues to provide a green setting for Radstock.
7.35 A single Scheduled Ancient Monument lies to the northwest of the area, comprising Camerton Romano-British town and associated prehistoric and early medieval monuments. As a consequence of the close proximity to the Scheduled Monument, there is some potential for previously unrecorded remains to be present within the area of search, although the part of the area closest to the Scheduled Ancient Monument was subject to landfill and any former archaeological remains would have been removed. There is no record of any remains having been reported during those works.
7.36 Bath Old Road appears to be used as a ‘rat run’ and speed is only limited in the built-up areas to the south. There is currently no pavement access to and through parts of the area.. Existing walking, cycling and wheeling connections into the town centre and to Trinity Primary School are poor. Any new development would require and could deliver significant improvements to these connections.
7.37 Works to Bath Old Road to provide a Quiet Lane could help to facilitate active travel. The speed limit would need to be reduced and a new pavement provided giving better pedestrian access into the town centre. Trinity School has room to expand and vehicular access to the school could be improved, for example by providing an additional access from the north. New vehicular access onto the A367 would be needed so that any development is not accessed solely from Bath Old Road and to ensure there is direct access to nearby bus stops.
Figure 49: Context Plan - North Radstock
Site options
7.38 The site options below could provide up to 1,000 new homes in total, as well as supporting facilities and green infrastructure. The site options have the potential to create a new neighbourhood with a connection to the A367 and direct access to Radstock town centre via the Bath Old Road. It is a residential and landscape led development with green screening to the north and south and a tree-lined street running through the middle of the development creating a sense of place when arriving at the new neighbourhood and contributing to the landscape setting.
7.39 Other green links to the countryside will run north-south through the development to create biodiversity links, support habitat improvement, provide views of the countryside and improve the connectivity within the neighbourhood.
7.40 The proximity of the development to Radstock town centre will benefit the regeneration strategy for the town centre and should help to increase footfall. Creating a critical mass of residents with easy access to current and new facilities would help the town centre to thrive. The town centre’s regeneration will benefit from future public realm improvements focussing on pedestrian safety and accessibility.
7.41 The existing school is close to the proposed local centre, and with good pedestrian links between these facilities. The school will have a direct link to Clandown providing better access on foot for residents, and the school site can be extended to allow for potential future growth in the school-age population in Radstock.
Option A
7.42 The development will extend to the west of the Bath Old Road, with a direct link to Radstock town centre along both the existing Public Rights of Way and routes through the new development. Development is stepped away from the Bath Old Road to preserve its characteristic far-reaching views towards Radstock to the south and open countryside to the north.
7.43 Vehicle access to the development areas can be provided to connect onto the A367 via the Option A development area. Bath Old Road could become emergency access only, and will be a key active travel link between the development and Radstock Town Centre, and north to Peasedown St John and the mobility hub.
Figure 49: Indicative Concept Plan - North Radstock Option A (400 homes)
Opportunities
- Approximately 400 homes, of which an element would be affordable housing.
- The speed of traffic on Bath Old Road could be reduced and new pavement provided. There is potential for a quiet lane.
- Improved access to Trinity School.
- Improved access to the countryside and surrounding public rights of way.
- Green Space Provision and Allotments.
- Connections to the 174 bus along the A367.
Constraints
- Hillside location with landscape value and close to the Conservation Area.
- Bath Old Road is used as a rat run and does not have pavement access.
- Nearby is Camerton Romano settlement which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
- Safeguarded existing sport and recreational facilities (Roundhill Recreational Ground).
Mitigation required
- Landscaping and green infrastructure.
- Additional access to Trinity School.
- Provision of on-site green space (including provision for local food growing).
- Mitigation if Roundhill Recreation Ground is lost.
Further investigation or evidence
- Archaeological assessment
- Detailed Landscape Assessment
- Heritage Assessment
Option B
7.44 In addition to Option A, this Option would extend development to the east of Bath Old Road with open space along the north of the residential parcels wrapping around to the east to connect to a new central green space. Located close to the new local centre, the new green space is positioned to maximise accessibility.
7.45 A greater quantum of development allows for additional facilities, such as a local centre.
Figure 50: Indicative Concept Plan - North Radstock Option B (600 homes)
Opportunities
- Approximately 600 homes, of which an element would be affordable housing.
- The speed of traffic on Bath Old Road could be reduced and new pavement provided. There is potential for a quiet lane.
- A larger quantum of development can provide new community facilities.
- Improved access to Trinity School.
- Improved access to the countryside.
- Green Space Provision and Allotments.
- New local centre
- Connections to the 174 bus along the A367
Constraints
- Hillside location with landscape value and close to the Conservation Area.
- Bath Old Road is used as a rat run and does not have pavement access.
- Nearby is Camerton Romano settlement which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
- Safeguarded existing sport and recreational facilities (Roundhill Recreational Ground).
Mitigation required
- Landscaping and green infrastructure.
- Additional access to Trinity School.
- Provision of on-site green space (including provision for local food growing).
- Mitigation if Roundhill Recreation Ground is lost.
Further investigation or evidence
- Archaeological assessment
- Detailed Landscape Assessment
- Heritage Assessment
Option C
7.44 In addition to Options A and B, the development proposed is maximised under this Option, to provide a total of around 1,000 homes. A tree belt within the open space to the east will help absorb the development in long-distance views from the east.
7.45 There is a strategic green infrastructure opportunity on the slopes to the east of the site.
Figure 51: Indicative Concept Plan - North Radstock Option C (1,000 homes)
Opportunities
- Approximately 1,000 homes, of which an element would be affordable housing.
- The speed of traffic on Bath Old Road could be reduced and new pavement provided. There is potential for a quiet lane.
- A larger quantum of development can provide new community facilities.
- Improved access to Trinity School.
- Improved access to the countryside.
- Green Space Provision and Allotments.
- New local centre
- Connections to the 174 bus along the A367
Constraints
- Hillside location with landscape value and close to the Conservation Area.
- Bath Old Road is used as a rat run and does not have pavement access.
- Nearby is Camerton Romano settlement which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
- Safeguarded existing sport and recreational facilities (Roundhill Recreational Ground).
Mitigation required
- Landscaping and green infrastructure.
- Additional access to Trinity School.
- Provision of on-site green space (including provision for local food growing).
- Mitigation if Roundhill Recreation Ground is lost.
Further investigation or evidence
- Archaeological assessment
- Detailed Landscape Assessment
- Heritage Assessment