About this page
How this part of the Local Plan Options Document works
These Development Management policy option pages contain the following sections:
Policy background
- Relevant national policy or regulations
- National or regional trends
- Local situation and needs/li>
- How we have dealt with this issue in the past
- The thinking behind the policy
Policy options for the new Local Plan
We may suggest a variety of approaches:
- Keeping existing policy as it is
- Making small changes
- Replacing the policy with something that is substantially different
- Identifying factors or events which may affect this policy in the future
Policy option analysis
- A list of the advantages and disadvantages that we have identified for each of the policy options we are presenting.
Read the Pollution Contamination and Safety Topic Paper for in-depth focus about this topic, and the evidence which informs our policy. Visit our library of Local Plan Options supporting documents to learn more.
Explore the policy
Select a section below to read more.
9.460 The Hot Springs are one of the six key attributes of the City of Bath World Heritage Site. Since Roman times with the development of ‘Aquae Sulis’ as a retreat for health therapy, worship and relaxation, Bath’s Hot Springs have been the centre of social, economic and cultural developments in Bath. Settlement grew up around this resource which has culminated in the modern City of Bath. The Springs now attract many visitors annually with the opening of the Thermae Bath Spa.
9.461 There are three Hot Springs in the centre of Bath: the Kings Springs within the Roman Bath complex, the Cross Bath Spring, and the Hetling Spring in Hot Bath Street. Together they produce around 1.3 million litres of mineral-rich thermal water per day with a temperature of between 41 and 46°C. These thermal waters arise from the Carboniferous Limestone via fissures in the overlying layers (a layer of alluvium, successive layers of Lias Clay and limestone and Triassic Mercia mudstone) and appear as springs on the surface.
9.462 As the Bath Hot Springs are inextricably linked with the World Heritage Site, Core Strategy Policy B4 applies to their general protection. Policy PCS8 seeks to ensure that both the quality and quantity of the groundwater source is protected from development that is likely to have any adverse effect on this resource. It is also important to have this policy in place should the Council receive any planning applications for energy mineral exploration and extraction which may impact on Hot Springs and their sources (see Policy M5).
9.463 The current policy accords with national and local strategies, however, amendments could be incorporated to reference the second UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription as one of the 11 Great Spa Towns of Europe – fashionable spa towns laid out around natural springs which are used for health and wellbeing. Inscribed on the World Heritage List on the 24th July 2021.
9.464 The detailed background and evidence relating to the following options is set out in the Pollution, Contamination, and Safety Topic Paper.
9.465 The policy remains fit for purpose. The current policy accords with national and local strategies, however, amendments could be incorporated to take account of the second UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription.
Option A
Retain policy PCS8 with amendments as outlined above.
Advantages of Option A
- Adopted policy presents no significant issues or concerns arising from development management officers in its implementation
- No evidence to suggest major changes are required
- Proposed amendments seek an update in respect of the World Heritage Site inscription
Disadvantages of Option A
None identified.