Bath Echo - Issue 101 - 11/04/2025

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Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

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Issue No. 101

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DAN NORRIS ARRESTED Police launch investigation over allegations of sex offences - P3

Inside: Food & drink, archive photos, what's on listings, our £20 crossword & more!

Fire crews test their skills during water exercise - P2

New tip is approved but could face legal challenge - P4

Post Office seeking new retail partner for Moorland Road - P5

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Fire crews test their skills during water exercise

In this issue...

Top Stories

Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

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Pictures from the Past

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Crossword

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Food & Drink

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What's On

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Community

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Health

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Education

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Business

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Politics

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Sports & Fixtures

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FIRE crews from across the region came together on Sunday, 6th April, for a largescale water training exercise at Newbridge in Bath.

Firefighters put their water rescue skills to the test during the exercise, which took place at Weston Lock on Brassmill Lane.

The training saw firefighters from Bath Red Watch facilitate a simulated scenario where live casualties required rescue from a sinking canal boat.

They were joined by crews from Temple and Bedminster, plus on-call firefighters from Weston-superMare, who had the opportunity to practice their water rescue capabilities.

Andy Baker, Watch Manager at Bath Fire Station, said: “Training exercises such as these are essential in reinforcing our water rescue capabilities as frontline firefighters and testing our procedures in these types of incidents.

“It’s also important for crews from different stations – who may arrive before specially

trained water rescue teams and their specialist water rescue equipment – to be fully prepared and equipped to respond before those colleagues get to the scene.”

In 2024, Avon Fire & Rescue Service attended 100 rescues or evacuations from water.

As the warmer weather of spring and summer approaches, residents are being urged to keep themselves and their families and friends safe in and around the water.

The service has offered essential safety tips, including: • Never enter the water to rescue a person or an animal – always call 999.

• Never enter the water if under the influence of alcohol or drugs – don’t let river water be your last drink.

• If someone is struggling in the water, tell them ‘Float To Live’ – lying on their back with arms and legs stretched wide, allowing time to control breathing and call for help.

60% of people who enter the water, slip, trip or fall in

Fire crews during the training exercise

accidentally while running, walking, or cycling. Stick to the path provided, away from the water’s edge.

Remember: • CALL – 999 and ask for the fire service • TELL – the person to float on their back (Float to Live) • THROW – something that can be used as a floatation device There are also several river cabinet rescue stations along the riverside cycle path in Bath.

These cabinets store a throwline which you can use to rescue a person struggling in the water.

Locals are invited to find out more the role the fire service plays in water rescue at the upcoming Water Safety Open Day at Bath Fire Station on Saturday 12th April from 11am-3pm.

The free, family-friendly event will provide opportunities to learn key water safety skills, as well as meeting the crew and getting a closer look at water safety equipment.

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Man acquitted of attempted murder charge A MAN has been acquitted of charges of attempted murder and possessing a knife following an incident in which a woman was stabbed in Bath in February 2024.

Matthew Jones, 29, of Ivy Avenue in Southdown, previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and has been remanded in custody.

During a trial at Bristol Crown Court, the jury heard that Jones had been friends with Emma Kirk, 25, also of Bath.

Their relationship had briefly become romantic, but he attacked her after she told him they would not be anything more than friends.

He demanded that they meet, for her to return gifts he had bought her. She said by this time she was afraid of him but agreed to

meet him. They met in a lane off Dransfield Way on Monday 26th February 2024.

By 4.20pm police had been called because Emma had suffered multiple stab wounds and cuts to her neck, face, head, abdomen and hands. Matthew Jones was being restrained by members of the public.

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A woman who first raised the alarm said she saw Matthew Jones push Emma to the floor and attack her.

Even when the woman who was with her young daughter, began trying to intervene and film what was happening, Jones continued the assault.

It took five men to disarm him, drag him off Emma and restrain him until police officers arrived.

Emma’s injuries were described as life-threatening, with the prompt actions of the members of the public who came to her aid and the quick response of the emergency services credited with saving her life.

She needed emergency surgery and due to her injuries was unable to give officers an account of the attack until 10 days later.

In his initial interview, Matthew

Jones gave police officers a prepared statement, in which he denied deliberately stabbing Emma, saying he was acting in self-defence, and he could only assume she was injured during their struggle.

Later, Jones entered a guilty plea to an offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, accepting that he did deliberately stab her, not in self-defence, but intending to cause her serious harm. He continued to deny any intention to kill.

On Wednesday 2nd April 2025, after two days of deliberation, the jury at Bristol Crown Court returned not guilty verdicts on the counts of attempted murder and of possessing a knife.

Jones remains remanded in custody pending a sentencing hearing on Friday 9th May 2025.

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Issue 101

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Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Mayor Dan Norris MP arrested over sex offences THE West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris, who also represents North East Somerset and Hanham as an MP, has been suspended by the Labour Party after being arrested.

Dan Norris, 65, was arrested on Friday 4th April, over allegations of rape, abduction and historic sex offences against a girl.

He was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

Avon & Somerset Police say they received a referral from another police force relating to nonrecent offences, and they were also investigating an alleged rape in the 2020s.

Police have said they will not be confirming the identity of the arrested man, but they did confirm the man has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.

A spokesperson for Avon & Somerset Police said: “In December 2024, we received a referral from another police force relating to alleged non-recent child sex offences having been committed against a girl.

“Most of the offences are alleged to have occurred in the 2000s,

Metro Mayor Dan Norris at a building site | Photo © Freia Turland

but we’re also investigating an alleged offence of rape from the 2020s.

“An investigation, led by officers within Operation Bluestone, our dedicated rape and serious sexual assault investigation team, remains ongoing and at an early stage.

“The victim is being supported and given access to any specialist help or support she needs.

“A man, aged in his sixties, was arrested on Friday (4th April) on suspicion of sexual offences

Agent ‘shocked and upset' over allegations Dan Norris MP’s election agent has said he is shocked and upset at the MP’s arrest on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.

Grant Johnson, a Labour councillor on B&NES Council who was his election agent at the election, said on Sunday 6th April: “Yesterday’s announcement in the media of Dan Norris’ arrest and the allegations being made against him have left me shocked and upset. I have campaigned with Dan for a number of years and acted as his agent in the recent election, but nothing can prepare you for the serious allegations being made against him. The Labour Party has done the right thing in immediately suspending him from the party. My thoughts are with all those impacted by this news. I do not intend to comment further as this is an ongoing police investigation.”

Can Dan Norris still do constituency work?

As well as their role in Parliament, MPs and their teams in their constituency office play a key role providing assistance to constituents who reach out to their MP for help. This will continue.

A spokesperson from the constituency office team said: “The office is open as usual and staff are continuing to work on casework.”

The spokesperson described themself to the Local Democracy Reporting Service as “from the North East Somerset & Hanham MP’s office,” avoiding mentioning Norris by name.

Can he vote on laws?

New rules in Parliament mean that a risk assessment is carried out when an MP is arrested on suspicion of a violent or sexual offence — which could decide to ban them from the Parliamentary estate. It is not known what decision has been made about Norris.

A House of Commons spokesperson said: “We do not comment on individual cases. The House has an established process, under Standing Order 164, to consider sanctions on Members who have been arrested on suspicion of violent or sexual offences. The details of that process remain confidential in line with the Standing Orders.”

John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter

against a girl (under the Sexual Offences Act 1956), rape (under the Sexual Offences Act 2003), child abduction and misconduct in a public office.

“He’s been released on conditional bail for enquiries to continue.

“This is an active and sensitive investigation, so we’d respectfully ask people not to speculate on the circumstances so our enquiries can continue unhindered.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Dan Norris MP was

immediately suspended by the Labour Party upon being informed of his arrest. We cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.”

Dan Norris, a former government minister and trained child protection officer, was elected as the regional mayor for the West of England in May 2021.

A spokesperson for the West of England Combined Authority, which Mr Norris leads, said: “We are aware of Avon & Somerset Police’s statement but are unable to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”

It is understood that his administrative suspension by the Labour Party, pending investigation, has the automatic effect of suspending the Labour whip in the House of Commons.

Dan Norris unseated Jacob ReesMogg at the election in July 2024, becoming the MP for North East Somerset and Hanham.

Voters will be heading to polls this May to elect a new West of England Metro Mayor, following a rule change which meant Mr Norris couldn’t stand as an MP and regional mayor concurrently.

WECA staff being offered trauma support John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

TRAUMA support is being made available to staff at the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) after the Metro Mayor was arrested.

An email to all staff at the West of England Combined Authority seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the senior office team recognised the news was “unsettling and upsetting” and would affect people in different ways.

It said “specialist trauma support” would be available from Monday morning, 7th April.

“We have been in touch with Avon & Somerset Police, who operate a victim-centred service and fully understand how difficult it can be to share sensitive experiences.

“They have asked us to reassure colleagues that any contact with them will be taken extremely seriously and they are committed to providing specialist support to anyone who reaches out.”

Norris has been released on

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conditional bail.

Since the 2024 General Election, he has also been the Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham alongside being the Metro Mayor.

Under Labour Party policy, he is not standing for re-election as Metro Mayor in the upcoming election on Thursday 1st May. He was immediately suspended by the Labour Party following his arrest.

The email reads: “The senior officer team has met following yesterday’s news concerning the Mayor. We fully recognise that this is unsettling and upsetting and that it will affect people in different ways.

“There are several ways to get in touch with the police: via the online reporting tool, or by calling 101 and asking for Bluestone.

The online reporting tool also provides access to the Victim Information Booklet, which may be helpful.

“As we navigate the days ahead, I know that colleagues will continue to treat each other with kindness, care and respect.”

News in Brief Warning over use of counterfeit cash Following a spate of incidents in which counterfeit money has been used for purchases made using Facebook Marketplace, police have issued a warning to people selling items online.

Avon & Somerset Police say they’ve received reports from areas including Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare where items including laptops, game consoles and mobile phones have been advertised for sale on Facebook.

Upon collection of the item, the buyer has paid often hundreds of pounds, with counterfeit currency, which is worthless to the seller.

Claire Pash, Investigations Fraud Team Manager, said: “Sadly criminals are taking advantage of sellers wishing to make some cash from their unwanted items.

“We are asking people who sell online in this way to please be cautious when agreeing to a sale and take all possible steps to ensure buyers are legitimate and payments are genuine.”

120 more cycle parking spaces proposed in Bath B&NES Council is set to install 20 new cycle hangars in and around central Bath. The hangars are fixed storage lockers designed to hold up to six standard-sized bicycles each. People can rent a space in a hangar, which can only be accessed by lock and key, or on an app in some locations.

The council says the proposed locations have been requested by the public and local councillors.

Weather Forecast Fri 11th Sat 12th Sun 13th Mon 14th Tue 15th Wed 16th Thu 17th

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Long range forecast:

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(18th to 24th April) Changeable weather on the way, with a mixture of showers and some longer spells of rain. Strong winds possible, with temperatures around normal.

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Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

Locksbrook Road tip approved but could face legal challenge Becky Feather Reporter

COUNCILLORS have backed the controversial plans for a tip at Locksbrook Road in Bath, but the decision could be challenged in the courts.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee approved the plans for a new household waste and recycling centre to replace the one at Midland Road, despite 189 objections. There had been five comments of support.

The site currently comprises the council’s street cleansing depot and a car park used by the nearby VW garage. The street cleansing operation will be retained.

The site will replace the recycling centre at Midland Road half a mile away, where planning permission has already been secured for 176 homes.

Concerns had been raised about flood risk, reduced services, accessibility due to a gantry system, and the impact on the local business and residential community, including environmental health, traffic safety and congestion.

Nineteen Bath businesses publicly opposed the scheme, with employers including Bath Spa University and Horstman warning of increased traffic, parking chaos, and the impact on jobs and growth.

But at Wednesday’s meeting, six Liberal Democrat councillors voted in favour of the proposals while three opposition councillors voted against them.

Local councillors Samantha Kelly (Newbridge, Liberal Democrat) and George Tomlin (Kingsmead,

How the redeveloped site will look | Image © B&NES Council

Liberal Democrat) spoke at the meeting, imploring members to take local people’s concerns into account.

Committee chair Councillor Ian Halsall (Liberal Democrat, Oldfield Park) stressed that party politics are “left at the door” when it comes to planning as it is a regulatory committee.

But campaigners against the proposals, who staged a protest outside the Guildhall before the meeting, believe the decision was very much political.

The Stop the Locksbrook Tip group has confirmed it is now exploring legal action, including strategic climate litigation and judicial review of the decision.

Speaking after the meeting, Tim Wallace, chair of the group, said: “I think it is remarkable that the vote went on party lines, that the Lib Dems voted as a block in favour of it.

“It suggests that it was not decided on the merits but is saving the face of the Lib Dems who had made an election promise to deliver a replacement tip, even if

that tip is sub-standard.”

Climate scientist and campaign group member Dr Steve Rocliffe told the committee: “As a council, you have policies for net zero, clean air, zero waste, and the climate emergency. But these do zero good if, as here, you ignore them. If you say one thing and do another.

“The proposal before you today delivers neither the ‘like-forlike’ replacement the public was promised, nor any progress towards your climate goals.

“It cuts recycling provision by 70%, capacity by 20%, and places a major public facility on a floodplain – somewhere the National Planning Policy Framework says it should not go.

“It leaves residents wanting to recycle what they currently do with two options: drive to Keynsham, assuming it’s not on fire [a reference to the blaze at the recycling centre there the day before]; any way increasing emissions, journey times and congestion. Or recycle less, and landfill more.”

After the meeting, Dr Rocliffe said: “When you mark your own homework the result is always going to be a foregone conclusion.”

Pam Richards, a former Bath Labour councillor who lives just off Locksbrook Road, and who was vocal from the public gallery during the meeting, said afterwards that the council’s cabinet had in 2021 approved a site at Odd Down to replace Midland Road, and the campaign group had found no evidence of that decision being revoked.

She told the Bath Echo: “Of course it’s political. They (the council) have been boxed into a corner. They’ve sold the Midland Road site, and then of course they had to scurry around.

“They’d spent a lot of money researching areas and the one that came out as suitable was surprise, surprise, not Locksbrook Road but Odd Down – but of course Odd Down is in private ownership.”

Last autumn, Andy Ridings, owner of the well-established Waste Recycling Bath facility at Odd Down, said the council’s cabinet had unanimously agreed three years previously that his facility was the only suitable replacement for the Midland Road recycling centre.

After Wednesday’s planning committee decision, he told the Bath Echo: “We are pleased the council has satisfied its own planning requirements for a waste recycling site, but it makes

a mockery of the allocation system.

“Our Odd Down waste recycling facility was allocated, under B&NES’ own Joint Waste Core Strategy, for all the types of waste envisaged at Locksbrook Road.

Why have an allocation system if you then ignore it?”

The plans for Locksbrook Road were submitted by the council last summer and updated to take into account some of the concerns raised.

Council planning officers said that the new recycling centre is unlikely to have any significant impact on local roads, that access and parking arrangements are acceptable; and the plans will not lead to unacceptable noise for nearby residents.

Odour will be “negligible” beyond the site boundary, the gull management strategy is considered acceptable, and the plans are policy compliant in terms of flooding and drainage.

Skips will be collected from the site when they are full and taken to Keynsham Recycling Centre for processing.

The tip will open seven days a week and there will be a booking system. It will open at 8am on weekdays with the last public exit at 4pm. On Saturdays, it will open from 9am to 3.45pm and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm.

Construction is due to start in the autumn and the new centre is expected to open in summer 2026.

Bath art gallery space to reopen after conservation project THE Upper Gallery at the Victoria Art Gallery in the centre of Bath is set to reopen on Friday 2nd May following an extensive conservation project.

A new learning and engagement studio, alongside a printmaking exhibition, will also be opening.

The recent conservation work took place to protect the Grade II* listed building and its collection for future generations.

The reopening marks the gallery’s 125th birthday, unveiling not only the Upper Gallery but also The Modelling Room, the new studio, and the launch of First Impressions: Printers’ Proofs of Works by Great 20th Century Artists.

Home to Bath & North East Somerset Council’s collection of public artworks, Victoria Art Gallery has been a cultural landmark in the city since 1900.

Named to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, the gallery hosts both the permanent collection and a programme of temporary exhibitions.

The Upper Gallery displays include masterpieces by artists such as Thomas Gainsborough,

Conservation work on the floor at the gallery | Photo © B&NES Council

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Klee and Grayson Perry and provides free access to art in the heart of Bath.

The conservation project focused on the roof and ceiling of the building, requiring the temporary closure of the Upper Gallery whilst the repairs were carried out.

With the collection safely stored throughout, the gallery is now being carefully rehung ahead

of reopening, with some pieces going on display for the first time.

While conservation work took place, the gallery team developed The Modelling Room, a dedicated learning and engagement studio for schools and the community.

The new studio will expand the gallery’s learning programme for school children as well as providing a space to host workshops, classes, and creative sessions for visitors of all ages.

Work on The Modelling Room has been made possible thanks to the financial support of the Friends of the Victoria Art Gallery with special thanks to an individual donor.

The Victoria Art Gallery is a civic space, free to enter for Bath and North-East Somerset residents, and it relies on the support of many local people to make it successful.

The Friends of Victoria Art Gallery have been long supporters of the Art Gallery, and the council is very grateful for their commitment to this project and that of the other individual donor.

Alongside the reopening, the new exhibition First Impressions: Printers’ Proofs of Works by Great 20th Century Artists launches on 2nd May (running until 6th July 2025) and offers a behindthe-scenes look at the art of printmaking.

Featuring works by Lucian Freud, Frank Auerbach, and Bridget Riley and contemporaries, the exhibition showcases dozens of printers’ proofs, revealing the trial-and-error process behind some of the most iconic prints in

modern art.

Robert Campbell, Head of Culture & Heritage at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “As we celebrate 125 years of Victoria Art Gallery, we are honouring its important past while investing in its future.

“The completion of vital conservation work in the Upper Gallery and the launch of our first dedicated learning and engagement space are milestone moments.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the public back to this much-loved cultural space.

“Our vibrant programme of inspiring and unexpected exhibitions continues with First Impressions, offering a rare insight into the world of printmaking.

“This work reflects the council’s commitment to preserving and sharing this cultural treasure, ensuring art remains accessible to all for generations to come.”

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Issue 101

Government allocates £3.5m to improve Bath’s flood defences THE Environment Agency is set to spend £3.5 million to improve Bath’s flood defences and better protect more than 1,000 properties, it has been announced.

Around 40 flood schemes across Wiltshire, Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Dorset will benefit from over £110 million of funding from the government.

Following a commitment to invest £2.65 billion over two years towards the construction of new flood schemes and the repair and maintenance of existing ones, the Environment Agency has now revealed the communities which will benefit from projects this year.

The £3.5 million allocated for Bath will fund a scheme to replace Twerton Gate to manage the risk of failure and maintain river levels.

It is expected to better protect 1,186 properties from the risk of flooding by the end of 2025/26.

The pair of sluice gates, which are around 40 years old, are situated on the River Avon.

In recent years, faults at the site on the Lower Bristol Road have caused river levels to drop dramatically, sometimes leading to boats sinking.

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management for the

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Post Office looking for a new retail partner in Moorland Road

The store on Moorland Road in Bath

Becky Feather Reporter

Photo © Andrew Harker / Shutterstock.com

Environment Agency, said: “Protecting communities from the devastating impact of flooding is our priority.

“The delivery of the schemes in Wessex will be welcome news for homeowners and businesses, who have experienced flooding in the past and may face more extreme weather as our climate continues to change.

“Our focus is now on working with local councils and Regional Flood and Coastal Committees to deliver these schemes on time, ensuring as many properties as

possible are protected.”

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: “I know from first-hand experience the devastating impacts that flooding can cause.

“The role of government is to protect its citizens. However, we inherited flood defences in their worst condition on record.

“Through our Plan for Change, we are supporting around 40 schemes in Wessex, ensuring residents have the long-term protection they need, while boosting local growth and creating new jobs.”

THE Post Office says it is looking for a retailer to take over the running of the Oldfield Park branch, which closes this weekend.

It has been confirmed that Morrisons in Moorland Road will close on Wednesday 16th April and the in-store Moorfields Post Office will close on Sunday 13th April at 5.30pm.

Last month Morrisons announced it would be closing 17 convenience stores as part of its programme of renewal.

A Post Office spokesperson told

the Bath Echo that it recognised the inconvenience the closure will cause customers.

“The provision of a Post Office service to our customers in the local community is important to us, and we will continue to work hard to restore services in the area as soon as possible.

“We would welcome any applications from potential retail partners interested in running a branch locally on our behalf.”

The vacancy will be advertised at www.runapostoffice.co.uk with a closing date of 2nd July 2025.

Meanwhile, nearby branches include Southdown Road Post Office, which is 0.9 miles away, and Twerton on Avon Post Office, a distance of 1.1 miles.

Work begins on redevelopment of former gas works site PREPARATION work has got under way at the former gas works site in Bath for the development of around 900 new homes as well as a riverside park.

Contractors have got started on land remediation at the Bath Western Riverside Phase 2 site, a 12.4 acre piece of brownfield land owned by B&NES Council and developer Berkeley Homes.

Berkeley Homes, which is experienced in the regeneration of underutilised gasworks and gasholder sites, is carrying out the work, which is expected to be completed by next spring.

Earlier this year, council cabinet members approved £18,202,421 of additional funding from Homes England Housing & Infrastructure Funding (HIF) for the work.

The council used the West of

England Mayoral Combined Authority Land Acquisition Fund to acquire the three large gas holders in the centre of the site.

The surrounding land, which was owned by National Grid, was transferred to St William (Berkeley Homes).

A land swap in 2024 provided both parties with developable plots of land and close collaboration with Homes England has ensured the plans enhance local heritage and fit the city’s UNESCO World Heritage status. Homes England Housing & Infrastructure Funding (HIF) was used to carry out the gas rationalisation and associated enabling works, removing the network of live gas pipes across the site.

The second stage of the project will include the land remediation, removal of the east pipe bridge and tree planting.

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The key partners marked the start of the work with a groundbreaking event.

Councillor Matt McCabe, cabinet member for built environment, housing and sustainable development said: “I am very pleased to see work is under way to prepare the site for the delivery of Phase 2.

“It allows us to make further progress on our commitment to provide a mix of homes that are badly needed in our area.

“We are extremely grateful to Homes England and West of England Mayoral Combined Authority for the grant funding that allowed us to secure delivery of this strategically important regeneration project in the heart of Bath.”

Elkie Russell, Managing Director at Berkeley Homes, said: “We are excited to transform this

redundant brownfield site into a new landmark place to live in the heart of Bath.

“Once complete the 611 new, high-quality, low-carbon private and affordable homes will sit alongside a new public park, river walk, café and children’s nursery.

“We are hugely proud to be delivering these works in partnership with Bath & North East Somerset Council and Homes England, and to have the opportunity to transform this redundant brownfield site into a sustainable city centre neighbourhood.

“We have worked closely with the council, Historic England, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and others throughout the planning process to design a place that positively contributes to the site’s heritage and setting within Bath.

“This spirit of partnership has extended to working with the council and Homes England to secure £18.2 million of much needed funding to assist in the remediation of this contaminated land. We look forward to working with the council to deliver this key site and transform this part of the city.”

Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding, Homes England, added: “The Bath Western Riverside development is an excellent example of how funding from Homes England is helping to create new homes and thriving places people can be proud of. It’s great to see the regeneration of this site moving forward and we are committed to continuing to support Bath & North East Somerset Council and Berkeley Homes to achieve their housing ambitions.”

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Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

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Fears that bus route extension will ‘blight’ neighbourhood Becky Feather Reporter

RESIDENTS at Mulberry Park at Combe Down are highlighting their concerns over proposals to extend the bus service through their estate.

The local residents’ association supports the No. 2 route extension but representatives of around 150 people living on the Curo development at the old MoD Foxhill site have contacted the Bath Echo to say their concerns have not been heeded, sparking a “wave of frustration and anxiety”.

The No. 2, operated by First Bus, runs between the city centre and The Hub at Mulberry Park and those objecting to the extension say there is nothing wrong with the current service which is well-used and “vital” to the community.

They say the proposed extension is “unnecessary and brings numerous issues that overshadow any potential benefits”.

Although the route extension was part of the plan when outline permission was granted for Mulberry Park by Bath & North East Somerset Council in 2014, the residents who contacted us say this was not disclosed to them at the time of purchase or lease.

They say they were “blindsided” by the announcement of the route extension in the residents’ association’s newsletter last September.

It is understood the extended route will take the No.2 bus along Whitaker Road, then across Naish Road and up Williams Road before joining Whitaker Road again, and that a secondary bus route is planned along Wratislaw Road. A new bus stop is proposed at the green at Whitaker Road.

The maximum number of buses a day on the new route will be 36 with fewer on weekends and bank holidays.

The concerned residents say the proposals raise serious concerns about safety, pollution, noise, traffic disruption,

Left: Naish Road | Above: The No. 2 bus at Mulberry Park

parking (including for deliveries) and privacy - and say it will “blight” their currently peaceful neighbourhood.

They claim the residents’ association survey does not accurately reflect their needs and concerns. They carried out their own door-to-door survey along the proposed route which showed 81% opposition to the extension. This led to a petition with 131 signatures from 113 households, but residents living directly on the new proposed route say it has been ignored by Curo, First, the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), and B&NES Council’s strategic transport department.

The concerned residents say that at the recent residents’ association AGM, an online survey presented a “misleading” 51/49 split in support for the new bus route, with the questions being “ambiguous”, and a lack of control over multiple votes from the same household.

They tell us: “Despite our collective efforts to voice our concerns through a petition, we have been met with a wall of indifference and a web of blameshifting among the responsible parties.”

They say First has discounted alternative routes which would minimise the impact on affected households. They add that their request for an independent needs assessment has been ignored and that noise impact and environmental impact

assessments conducted at the outline planning stage do not take into account the proposed bus route. They also understand there has been no air quality assessment.

In February the council consulted on the introduction of a 20mph zone covering the whole of Mulberry Park, along with proposals to introduce ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions on roads where parking is likely to cause an obstruction and hinder buses.

The Bath Echo took all the concerns raised by the group of 150 residents to First Bus, Curo, WECA, B&NES Council and the Mulberry Park Residents' Association.

George Burton, head of network for First Bus in the West of England, told us: “Our intention to extend service 2 is consistent with the aspirations of B&NES Council and the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, and allows us to make sustainable transport available to even more people. The extension also aligns with the original outline planning permission.

“We have worked closely with the local authorities and consulted with residents, and while we recognise that some have raised concerns, others welcome the improved transport links to help promote sustainable transport, which plays a key role in reducing car dependency.

“As part of our bus network planning, we’re used to residents asking for new or extended

routes, but very rarely do we find residents asking us not to make sustainable transport available to even more people, some of whom may be in need of public transport.”

Mulberry Park Residents' Association says it represents the views of residents from across the development of more than 600 properties, and the bus service was part of the planning application for Mulberry Park.

In its submission to WECA, the residents’ association said that of the 185 people who responded to its survey and live in the area of Mulberry Park which will be served by the extended route (those in Phases 3 and 4), 157 use the Number 2/2A bus route and, of these, 91 would use the new bus stop (57% of current bus users).

“The survey also identified a small number of people (3) who do not currently use the Number 2/2A bus who would now use it.

Perhaps most importantly, 51% of all respondents who live in the area which will be served by the extended route stated that they would use the new bus stop. For us as a residents’ association, this provides compelling evidence, not only of the popularity of the Number 2/2A route, but also of the fact that the bus stop provided by the extended route will be well used.”

In the letter to WECA, the association’s chair Tom Davies acknowledged that some residents living directly on the new route have expressed concerns. “We would note here that we, as a residents' association, are very grateful for the additional engagement which First Bus has had with the Mulberry Park community as a whole and, in particular, the work they have undertaken to engage with those residents living directly on the proposed extended route who have concerns.

“As an example of this engagement, in addition to a public drop-in at The Hub in Mulberry Park, First Bus hosted a meeting with First Bus, myself as chair of the residents' association, and one of the

residents of Williams Road (a road on the route of the proposed extension).”

He said First Bus had made adjustments to its proposed timetable to ensure no bus would travel down the extended route before 7am and after 7.30pm on a weekday, with a later start at weekends.

Mr Davies added: “We also understand that First considered a different proposed route submitted by some residents of Williams Road which, whilst still seeing the bus travel down Whitaker Road, avoided Williams Road by instead passing homes on the north side of the estate, but that this was deemed less suitable by First Bus.” Curo, WECA and B&NES Council have not provided The Bath Echo with comments in response to the concerns.

This week the concerned residents said this was “disappointing but however not surprising”, adding: “This again demonstrates they are not interested in understanding the views of the concerned residents.”

They say the consultation referenced by First Bus was a “superficial” exercise and only one public consultation meeting was organised, with no followups, despite the numerous objections. They say these concerns had not been formally recorded by First Bus which had resulted in them doing their own “thorough” survey which detailed a clear objection to the proposed route.

Regarding the letter to WECA from the residents’ association, the concerned residents say: “In our opinion the questionnaire was skewed towards obtaining a favourable result for the extended bus route. The fundamental fact is, only three people stated they would now start to use the bus.

The proposal therefore cannot be justified.

“The comments raised by both First Bus and the residents’ association only reinforce our belief that the views of the 81% of residents who reside on the proposed bus route have been ignored.”

COLUMN | Councillor Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

I

HAVE three big pieces of great news that I want to celebrate this month.

Each has been years in the making, and each will have a positive impact on Bath and its residents for years to come. These three positive announcements demonstrate Bath & North East Somerset Council’s commitment to improving residents’ quality of life, our economy and housing.

First, I want to focus on a particularly important ruling from National Highways. For years, my colleagues and I have been lobbying government to keep heavy traffic out of the centre of our historic city. It

has no place here. The National Highways ruling should help remove a substantial chunk of through-traffic and HGVs from Bath. A lot of the through-traffic we see in Bath is heading from the M4 to the Dorset coast – especially HGVs heading to the port at Poole. However, National Highways have now named the A350 and A34 as the “primary” route for south coast-bound traffic. Funding to improve this route has been set aside by government. Less traffic would be directed via the A46-A36 central Bath route. This will have a long-term positive impact on traffic flows and air quality.

This is amazing news for Bath, especially for communities in the east of the city, such as London Road, Larkhall, Walcot and Bathwick, and communities along the A36 corridor. We now stand a very good chance of getting the through HGV traffic out of Bath permanently.

Second, I want to shine a light on an exciting development for our city’s vibrant retail sector.

Supporting our local economy to thrive is one of the aims of our ten-year Economic Strategy.

Milsom Street is a key shopping destination, and the much-loved Jolly’s department store has been an anchor there for two centuries.

The council owns the Jolly’s building and has been working hard to secure its future over the past 18 months.

We recently announced that the independent group Morleys Department Stores will reopen Jolly’s in spring 2026 following essential restoration work. This latest development complements the investment that the council is making in the Milsom Quarter.

Finally, I am delighted that we are making further progress on our commitment to provide a mix of homes that are badly needed in our area. In January

we were successful in securing more than £18m Homes England funding for remediation works on the former gasworks site in Bath Western Riverside.

I recently visited the site along with representatives from Homes England, Mayor Dan Norris, and our development partner Berkeley Homes. When completed, this development will provide around 900 quality, sustainable market and affordable homes as well as a riverside park, marking a major step forward in delivering on our strategy to build new homes.

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Pictures from the Past Elephants in Darlington Street

Elephants in Darlington Street in Bath in 1909

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

THIS photograph of elephants being led along Darlington Street is believed to have been taken in 1909, when Wombwell’s Royal Menagerie came to Bath.

Although the elephants are Indian, their riders are African, and such a dazzlingly exotic procession through the dusty streets of Edwardian Bath would have been a sure way of attracting crowds to the shows held on the cricket ground. As well as elephants, visitors could look forward to seeing ‘a colossal amalgamation of curious animals from the uttermost parts of the

universe’, including pumas, leopards, bears, porcupines and lions.

The final performance in Bath boasted a ‘special monster attraction, when Mr George Ferebee, proprietor of the New Inn, Southgate Street, will enter a den of lions for a wager, made with another local gentleman’. What happened is not recorded, but, as no reports of anything

untoward appeared in the local press, we can only assume that he won the bet and lived to tell the tale.

You can enjoy special archive photos of Bath every week in our popular newsletter. Sign up for your copy at: www.bathecho.co.uk/subscribe

COLUMN | Clare Moody, Labour Police and Crime Commissioner

A

S Police and Crime Commissioner, it will be no surprise that commissioning is a part of my role.

In simple terms, this means deciding how money from the government is used to provide services that support victims of crime and fund activities that help to reduce and prevent crime.

Commissioning isn’t just about spending money, it’s a process.

It involves understanding what is needed, planning services to meet those needs, and ensuring the services deliver the right outcomes. Here’s how it works: 1. Assessing needs The process starts with looking at data: local crime statistics, health reports, and national research. But data alone isn’t

enough. My team and I talk to partners like the police, councils, and organisations working in our communities. We also listen to the people who use these services. What do they want?

What works for them?

2. Setting priorities With the needs identified, my team looks for where we can make the most impact. This highlights the best areas to focus on, such as reducing violent crime, supporting victims of domestic abuse, or preventing antisocial behaviour.

3. Planning services Once priorities are set, providers, such as charities, social enterprises, or private companies, apply for funding by showing how their work will

meet those needs. Think of it like a job application where they demonstrate their experience and their plan to deliver.

4. Procuring services Providers then compete for contracts or grants. We choose those that offer the best value for money and the highest quality service.

5. Monitoring quality Finally, we don’t just hand over the money and walk away. We require regular reports from funded services, showing how many people they’ve helped and the outcomes they’ve achieved. This ensures we’re making a real difference. What does this look like in practice?

It ranges from large-scale funding for specialised services

to smaller grants for community-led projects.

Recently, my office completed a major commissioning process, investing in services that offer crucial support to victims of crime through seven-year contracts worth over £2 million. These include practical and emotional support services for adults as well as specialist support for children affected by crime.

At the other end of the scale, I’ve also been able to award smaller grants of up to £10,000 to grassroots groups making a difference in their communities.

For example, projects funded through our Crime Prevention Fund include bystander training

to prevent sexual violence, fraud awareness workshops for older people, and activities that divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour.

By investing in this range of services, both big and small, I want to ensure that help is available to those who need it most while supporting the incredible work happening in local communities across Avon and Somerset.

You can find out more about the services I fund along with our commissioning strategy on my website: Services We Fund – OPCC for Avon and Somerset (https://bit.ly/4jicpfn)

Issue 101

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Entering our competition - via email or post For your chance to win £20, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk or via post to: Crossword Competition 1104, Bath Echo, PO Box 5395, Bath, BA1 0YA The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 23/04/2025.

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Food & Drink

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Melissa Blease

Food Writer

Tasty Dates For Your Diary Celebrate spring at the Old Crown (Kelston) on Saturday 12th April when fabulous food, live music and good vibes in the pub’s beautiful garden and adjacent garden lounge send a clear invitation for sunshine to join the party. Can’t make the date? Enjoy a complimentary carafe of house wine with every two main courses from 4-9pm every Wednesday/Thursday, and/or a complimentary house drink with your fish and chips from midday-9pm on Friday. https://bit.ly/3Ge6lpa Get along to 41 Milsom Place and say ciao! to Magari, specialists in authentic, creative Italian deliciousness sourced from locally-sourced ingredients served up in a super-uplifting environment - a wonderful

addition to Bath indeed. www.magaripasta.co.uk Unique gourmet burger purveyors MilkBun are celebrating their return to Bath in pop-up form at the gloriously convivial Village Cafe and Bar (Larkhall) on Saturday 19th April.

No bookings, no fuss - just turn up on a first come, first served basis and chill out! There’s alfresco seating if the sun comes out to play and takeaways will also be available, so nobody will miss out on the MilkBun fun. https://bit.ly/4gOGcek Superchef Henry Scott’s glorious Saville Row restaurant/bistro (that’ll be Henry’s, then) now opens for breakfast from 8.30am segueing into brand new, superseasonal à la carte lunch/dinner

menus alongside Henry’s classic Tasting Menus all served up in a fully refurbished environment offering two distinct moods between the ground and first floors. Exciting times indeed! henrysrestaurantbath.com Join the ultimate Easter Egg Hunt in Bath on Saturday 19th April.

Kids who find and crack the code on eggs hidden across the city will win a special Easter treat, while adults could win a £100 bar tab at hunt hosts Bath Brew House (James Street West), Bath Cider House (Bladud Buildings) or The Cork (Westgate Buildings), where pre-hunt maps and code-cracking tools will also be available. www.thebathbrewhouse.com Experience a relaxed guided

tasting of six beautiful wines from Bordeaux at Comptoir+Cuisine (George Street) on Thursday 24th April and enjoy 20% off all food on the stylishly eclectic French bistro menu while you’re at it (£15pp; booking essential). www.comptoirpluscuisine.com Bath-based superchef Dan Moon / Yuzu is popping up at the Boston Tea Party (Kingsmead Square) on Friday 25th / Saturday 26th April to present a feast in support of the wonderful Lily Foundation (www.thelilyfoundation.org. uk). Enjoy a stunning 7-course menu showcasing the best of spring’s fresh produce while supporting an amazing cause what’s not to love? (£85pp). www.yuzubydanmoon.co.uk Bath Restaurant Week (Saturday

3rd - Sunday 11th May) is gearing up to be one of the key events on the city’s food calendar this year… which is one of the many reasons why the Bath Echo are so proud to be amongst the festival’s sponsors.

Exciting deals are already rolling in from restaurants, pubs and bars across the city; visit the website today and sign up for the newsletter to keep abreast of all the tasty goings-on. www.bathrestaurantweek.com Melissa regularly reviews restaurants across Bath. You can find out more by visiting: www.theprandialplayground.uk Follow Melissa on X Find her @ThePigGuide

Recipe: Courgette, Broad Bean and Feta Risotto A vibrant abundance of seasonal produce and the freshest of herbs have landed in our markets. But don't let the choice overwhelm you; the best seasonal dishes are always the simplest ones to rustle up.

If you can’t get your hands on broad beans for this lively, uplifting recipe, peas will happily jump into the breach - and if courgettes aren’t your thing, use green beans instead.

Ingredients (serves 2) • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp butter • 2 courgettes (around 350g), diced • A sprinkling of dried red chilli flakes • A generous grating of nutmeg • The zest and juice of ½ lemon • 150g risotto rice (preferably Arborio) • 75ml dry white wine or vermouth • 700ml warm vegetable or chicken stock • 80g broad beans, blanched and peeled • 60g feta, crumbled To serve: a smattering of finely-chopped pickled walnuts (optional)

Method • Heat the oil and butter in a large non-stick saucepan over a medium heat. Add the courgettes, sprinkle in the chilli flakes and nutmeg and season well.

• Sauté for 4-5 mins or until the courgettes are soft and golden, then add lemon zest and rice.

• Stir well to coat the rice in the oil and butter (around 2 minutes) then add the wine or vermouth and allow to bubble down for a couple of minutes more until the alcohol has mostly evaporated.

• Add a ladleful of the warm stock to the pan and stir until it’s absorbed. Continue adding the stock a ladleful at a time for around 20-30 mins, stirring continuously, until you’ve used up all of the stock and adding the broad beans with the last ladleful.

• Remove the pan from the heat, add the feta and stir well to distribute throughout the risotto.

• Divide the risotto between warm bowls and top with extra feta and pickled walnuts (if using).

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What's On

Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

Tending

Scale Model Making Workshop

Space Oddity

Switzerland

Ustinov Studio 11th & 12th April, 7.30pm An award-winning play that shines a light on the day-to-day lives of NHS nurses. Following a critically-acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe 2024, it visits Bath on a national tour.

Museum of Bath Architecture 12th April, 2-4pm Create your own Georgian doorway façade, modelled on Bath’s famous Paragon with model maker and artist Jess Wright. Explore the methods and techniques used by model makers.

The Egg 15th – 16th April Space Oddity is a new devised piece of theatre inviting audiences to go deep into space in an immersive experience, exploring human nature and reflecting on our place in the stars.

The Mission Theatre 15th – 17th April A taut, psychological thriller, reimagining the final days in the life of the renowned crime novelist – author of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Strangers on a Train and Carol.

Against the Grain Exhibition

Swept Away with Beth O'Leary

St. John Passion – J.S. Bach

Easter at Prior Park

BRLSI 16th April, 7pm Mr B's welcomes Beth O'Leary to Bath to chat to them about her epic new romance novel, Swept Away. It is a bold and epic twist on the romance genre, with high stakes, jeopardy and passion.

Bath Abbey 16th April, 7.15pm Experience the tragedy, the pity, and the hope of the Easter story. Bath Abbey Lay Clerks & Girls' Choir with David de Winter as Evangelist and accompanied by instrumentalists Rejouissance.

Prior Park (National Trust) 17th – 21st April 10 Easter-themed stations await to be discovered on this trail. Test your skills in the egg and spoon race, decorate an egg for your Easter tree and be ready for the very popular wheelbarrow race.

Easter Egg Hunt 2025

Easter Lates

Easter Sunday Raceday

Elly Hopkins Live in Session

Newton Farm 18th April – 10am-2pm Hunt for eggs and receive your own chocolate goodie box, filled with Easter treats. You will also get the opportunity to have your photo taken with the Easter Bunny and get your face painted.

Roman Baths 18th – 21st April Enjoy a rare chance to see the Great Bath illuminated by torchlight, explore the museum and collection at a relaxed pace, and enjoy a drink under the evening sky at the pop-up prosecco bar.

Bath Racecourse 20th April, 12pm–5.30pm Whether you're looking for an exciting outing with friends or a wholesome day of fun for the whole family, the Easter Sunday Raceday is the perfect event to round off the holiday weekend in style.

Komedia 20th April, 2pm Dynamic folk-rock conjuring the essence of rebellion. With lyrics that explore themes of betrayal and courage, these are contemporary songs that honour the roots of classic songwriting.

Chocolate Train

Tulip Mania

The Musical Box

Emily Hauser for Mythica

The Forum 23rd April, 7.30pm Internationally renowned for its historical accuracy, presents the original Genesis Live performance in painstaking detail and offers an evening of time travel.

Topping & Company Booksellers 24th April, 7pm Classicist and historian Emily Hauser takes readers on an epic journey to uncover the astonishing true story of the women behind ancient Greece's greatest legends.

Victoria Art Gallery 15th April – 13th July A selling exhibition of wood engravings drawn from natural forms. Geri Waddington trained in painting at the Slade School of Fine Art. She makes and sells prints and also illustrates books.

Avon Valley Railway 20th & 21st April Enjoy an Easter ride on a restored locomotive from the Fry’s chocolate factory in Keynsham. Discover more about this special locomotive and its local history from the displays.

Dyrham Park 22nd – 5th May Immerse yourself in a world of tulips and celebrate this springtime favourite which has strong links with the history of Dyrham Park. The house will be highlighting its links to the Netherlands.

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Community

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Woman completes bike ride in memory of sister Becky Feather Reporter

A BATH woman has completed a 315-mile bike ride in memory of her sister who died after her rare condition was misdiagnosed.

Jackie Duffy from Weston Village has raised more than £6,000 for Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland.

Jackie, her husband Tony and family friend Tracey Belgin-Lee did the long-distance ride in aid of the charity as a tribute to her sister Sharon Goddard from Keynsham.

They arrived in Keynsham on Friday 4th April after their eightday journey from Land's End. Sharon had Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, a rare genetic connective tissue disorder that primarily affects the heart and aorta.

On 18th December 2022, she had been returning from a Caribbean holiday when she began experiencing chest pain.

She was taken to the hospital by ambulance but was left waiting in a corridor for hours as her condition deteriorated.

Despite hospital staff being informed of Sharon’s medical condition, it was not taken seriously.

An inquest ruled that her death

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Adrian Belgin, Tracey Belgin-Lee, Jackie Duffy, Tony Duffy and Neale Goddard

was preventable, and her care had been neglectful, with delays, failures, lack of awareness, and poor decision-making.

Sharon, who was 53, left behind husband Neale and daughters Hannah, Izzy, and Alice.

After returning from their ride, for which back-up support was provided by Neale and Tracey’s husband, Adrian, Jackie said it had been a challenge, but the beautiful route had made it all worth it.

She said: “It seems like years ago we left Land’s End and finally arrived in Keynsham, for tea and

cake. The route was very, very hilly, the wind was strong, the terrain wasn’t always that great, but the sun shone for us.

“We had a few mechanical issues, which were soon sorted, thanks to the local bike mechanics. and our support team.

“People we have met along the way have been amazing, so we have been spreading the word ‘Think Aorta’. Thank you to everyone.”

Donations can be made on Jackie’s JustGiving page at https://bit.ly/42C1LtK Aortic Dissection claims the lives

of 2,000 people in the UK each year, often due to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.

Aortic Dissection Awareness is the national patient charity and their voice for Aortic Dissection (AD) in the UK & Ireland.

It raises awareness of AD, informs and supports AD patients and families, and works with healthcare providers to improve diagnosis, treatment and reduce healthcare inequalities, and partner researchers.

You can read more about Sharon’s story on the charity’s website at https://bit.ly/4jt3Yxr

Park & Ride sites now operate until 11.30pm

£12k donation for children’s charity

USERS of Bath’s three Park & Ride sites now benefit from extended opening hours Monday to Saturday thanks to a trial running until the end of August.

Announced earlier this year in Bath & North East Somerset Council’s budget, the service is being extended temporarily, with the last buses leaving the city centre at 11.30pm.

Recently voted the country’s second-best Park & Ride service, all three sites, Newbridge, Odd Down and Lansdown, is open until late to make it easier for people to stay longer in the city.

By providing later service hours, the council is hoping to support local businesses, enhance the visitor experience and offer greater convenience for workers and tourists.

With 10 single journeys available at £14.80, less than £1.50 per trip, the Park & Ride offers services every 15 minutes throughout the day directly into the city centre.

They have a combined total of

A £12,500 DONATION has been made to a charity which supports bereaved children who have lost their siblings thanks to the recycling of metals from Haycombe Crematorium.

The Harvey Hext Trust provides memory boxes and bears to families and bereavement support professionals to help children keep alive their memories of their brothers and sisters.

B&NES Council, which operates Haycombe Crematorium, is a member of the not-for-profit Recycling of Metals Scheme run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management.

With the consent of relatives, members of the scheme collect common metal objects from cremators such as medical pins, metal plates and artificial joints and the money raised from their recycling is distributed among charities by the members.

Sarah Hext, founder of the Harvey Hext Trust, said: “We were absolutely delighted and extremely grateful to receive this very generous grant from Haycombe Crematorium.

“The kindness of the families who

2,806 car parking spaces, which are free for those using the service.

Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for transport, said: “This is fantastic news for so many people.

“From those who work late in the city or visitors who want to extend their day and make the most of Bath’s restaurants, bars and venues, the option to Park & Ride is now the best choice.

“With so much going on in Bath, including evenings at the Roman Baths and fantastic events this spring and summer, we’re delighted to provide this extension.

“The Park & Ride service is a more sustainable and hassle-free transport option for those visiting the city.

“We are encouraging people to use it during its trial period and will consider similar offers in the future if it proves popular.

“This extension is initially on a trial basis – but if people use it, we will look to explore similar offers in the future.”

agree to the Recycling of Metals scheme means we will be able to support bereaved children by offering our bespoke memory boxes to them when they need them most, offering critical emotional and practical support during the most challenging of times. We will also be able to continue our support of bereaved families with Harvey’s Holdalls, giving families a dignified way to transport their child’s belongings home after they have died. Thank you so much.”

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “The Harvey Hext Trust does amazing work helping children preserve cherished memories of the brothers and sisters they have sadly lost.

“We are incredibly proud to be part of a scheme that not only contributes to sustainability through recycling but also provides essential financial support to local charities.”

In 2024, a total of £25,600 was donated to charities from this scheme. To qualify, charities are selected on the basis they have to assist the bereaved or those who are terminally ill.

Abi Brinkhurst here, Branch Advisor at Howden Bath; your friendly, local high street insurance broker. We love being a part of the Bath community and in this new regular column will be bringing you advice and insights into the insurance market.

Whether you own a home or are a tenant the likelihood is you’ve got, or need, household insurance.

Household insurance means your property, yours and your family’s belongings are covered if the worst were to happen.

Navigating the insurance market can be somewhat overwhelming, there is so much choice and information out there. So here’s some handy pointers to make the process easier: Check the levels of cover you need Many policies will offer you blanket levels of cover. It’s important to assess whether these would be enough for you.

Your buildings cover isn’t just for rebuilding the home, it includes outbuildings, site clearance and professional fees. There are free online rebuild calculators or you can get a survey done to check your buildings cover is sufficient.

Contents cover is more than just what’s in the home. Contents in the open or any outbuildings also needs to be considered. Also note that contents is calculated on a new for old basis, so your cover should reflect this cost. If you’re not sure, we can offer a contents checklist to our clients in branch.

Keep up-to-date valuations for your valuable items Items such as jewellery, watches, precious metals, works of art are typically considered valuables.

Most insurers will accept valuations from the last 3-5 years.

Check what you are liable to cover If you own a flat, is there is a management company in place that covers the building? If you rent a property, was it furnished or unfurnished? It’s important you know what is yours to cover.

Is there anything ‘out of the ordinary’?

If you are unsure if something is covered or needs to be specified on your policy, it’s always best to mention it to your advisor.

Here at Howden we pride ourselves on the service we provide. If you’d like to discuss your home insurance, please do pop into the office and we can discuss all things household with you!

Howden Bath 7 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EH 01225 788044 www.howdeninsurance.co.uk

Issue 101

P15

Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Popular venue Komedia marks six years of community society status POPULAR venue Komedia Bath is celebrating six years of being a Community Benefit Society, having adopted the model to secure its future with ownership by local residents.

Back in 2017, the original owners of the Westgate Street-based business took the decision to attempt to become one of the first venues in the UK to adopt the Community Benefit Society (CBS) model.

At that time, many pubs had been saved from the threat of closure by their local communities coming together, chipping in and taking ownership, however there wasn’t a precedent for doing the same kind of thing with venues.

Now, six years after its successful CBS conversion on 26th March 2019, the award-winning venue has become a model for the efficacy of this communitycentred approach.

It has 227 members who each own a share of the business and a programme that includes regular free community events and encourages grassroots participation alongside more commercial activities.

A spokesperson for Komedia said: “Abandoning the traditional model has been the catalyst to our sustained success and has

Busy A4 set to close overnight next month

The road will be closed overnight for around two weeks

Photo © Komedia Bath

helped us embed ourselves in the community and deliver on events initiatives that matter to Bath’s residents.”

Despite various industry-wide challenges, the Bath venue has recorded some of its strongest trading years following the pandemic and attributes much of its resilience to having become a Community Benefit Society.

The spokesperson continued: “As we have sadly seen so many other venues around the country succumb to Covid-19 and costof-living pressures, we consider ourselves extremely lucky to

have the support of our amazing community, and plan to keep on growing and improving with every passing year.”

Several other venues across the country have since followed suit and adopted a communityownership business model, including Bristol’s Exchange, Le Pub in Newport and UPP Oxford.

Conversely, a 2023 report conducted by Music Venues Trust found that 125 other UK independent venues had either closed or stopped hosting live music, including local favourite, Moles.

THE A4 between The Globe Roundabout at Newton St Loe and Uplands Road at Saltford is set to be closed overnight for two weeks in May for major resurfacing works.

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s highway maintenance team is contacting residents and businesses along the A4 to give them advanced notice of the closure, which will be in place between 8pm and 7am from Tuesday 6th May. It is understood the works will cost £755,000, with 19,630 square metres of road surface due to be improved.

B&NES Council is working in partnership with its contractor VolkerHighways for the work.

Restricted access for residents with driveways onto the A4 will

be maintained where possible.

Residents will need to make their own arrangements to find alternative parking.

Diversion routes will be in place for local traffic and advance notices will be positioned along the route. Details of the diversion are due to be revealed on the one. network website.

Bus operators have been informed and will be re-routing services if needed. The highways team is working with the waste service team to try to minimise disruption to collections.

Emergency services will always be given access, says the council.

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Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

Health Investigation launched into 5.6% increase in A&E attendance

Photo © Royal United Hospital Bath

Becky Feather Reporter

HEALTH chiefs say it’s “crucial” they discover why there was a 5.6% rise in people turning up at Accident and Emergency departments in Bath, Swindon and Wiltshire last year.

The Bath & North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) has launched a major survey, revealing the rise was mainly due to the number of ‘walk-in’ patients.

The three A&E departments are the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Great Western Hospital in Swindon and Salisbury Hospital.

The ICB says: “In order to bring waiting times down, we need to understand why more people are going to A&Es instead of using other NHS services, such as GP surgeries, Minor Injury Units or the NHS 111 service.

“With BSW’s population growing all the time, it’s crucial to know the reasons behind this trend.”

“Over the next three months, BSW ICB is working with Healthwatch and hospitals in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury to find out more through the Big A&E Survey.

“We’ll conduct face-to-face questionnaires at all three A&Es in BSW. Additionally, a digital survey will be launched via social media.

“The survey will explore why

patients choose to attend and their awareness of other treatment options.

“It will also look for any health inequalities and service gaps.

“The findings will be analysed and shared with system partners to understand what’s behind the rising demand and to make recommendations for plans to reduce this demand and improve communication with specific population groups needing support.”

If you or a family member attended one of the three A&E departments recently, you are invited to take part in the Big A&E Survey by visiting the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/ fiHgCx5P5Y

Prescription reminder ahead of Easter break RESIDENTS nearing the end of their current supply of regular medication are being urged to get their repeat prescription requests in ahead of the long Easter weekend.

Many pharmacies across Bath and North East Somerset will close at the end of the day on Thursday 17th April, and not reopen until the morning of Tuesday 22nd April. A select number of pharmacies will remain open across the region on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday for anyone in need of an urgent prescription.

Helen Wilkinson, Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “We have a great network of pharmacies in our region, and teams will always do whatever they can to turn prescription requests around in the shortest possible time.

“During busy times, however, some requests may take a day or two longer than normal, which is why it is always advisable to get prescriptions in early, especially in the run-up to a long bank holiday weekend. Our colleagues at NHS 111 regularly tell us that during holiday periods, such as Christmas and Easter, their phone lines become inundated with calls from people who have run out of the medicine they need to stay well.

“And with the service primarily there to provide help to people

requiring urgent care, it is vitally important that the clinicians who answer the calls are able to focus their attention on those most in need.”

Most people can now order their repeat prescriptions online, either through the website of their GP practice or via the NHS App, which can be downloaded for free to any tablet or smartphone.

Details of which pharmacies will be staying open on the three Easter bank holidays can be found by using the Find a Pharmacy search tool on the NHS website, which is available at www.nhs.uk/service-search/ pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy Easter opening times for all pharmacies located in Bath and North East Somerset will also be shared on the ICB website and across its social media channels.

As well as providing prescriptions, community pharmacies can support people with a range of on-the-spot services, including information on how to manage minor illnesses and advice on how to treat simple symptoms at home. Pharmacists can now also prescribe antibiotics for seven common conditions, which are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

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‘Business as usual’ as support services move to new provider RESIDENTS have been told it will be ‘business as usual’ for local drug and alcohol support services after the contract was taken over by a new provider at the start of the month.

The contract to provide drug and alcohol community services was previously run by Bath charity Developing Health & Independence (DHI), but has been awarded by B&NES Council to national charity Turning Point for the next five years.

Rosie Phillips, chief executive of DHI, said that she would do “everything in her power” to make sure the transition was seamless for users of the services, and she stressed that DHI would remain a key part of local life in Bath and beyond.

She explained: “In addition to drug and alcohol support, we run many other services across B&NES, and these will not be affected by the changes.

“We remain one of the largest social inclusion charities in the area, and our work is as vital as ever. I am sure there will be many future opportunities to

collaborate with Turning Point for the benefit of those we serve.

“DHI remains part of the treatment system through services like Burlington Street supported housing, the Peer Academy, employment support (IPS) and delivery of mental health treatment requirements.

“We plan to continue to support young people through support for schools and we will also be there to ensure as many as possible have a safe place to call home – whether with the support of Reach, or through supported housing or Home Turf Lettings. If you need us, you know where we are!”

Nat Travis, National Head of Service for Substance Use at Turning Point, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to deliver drug and alcohol services to the people of Bath and North East Somerset.

“Turning Point is committed to delivering high quality, accessible services for those impacted by drug or alcohol use including people affected by someone else’s substance use.

The services will now be provided by national charity Turning Point

“We are grateful to DHI for their work to ensure continuity of care during the transition period.

“We look forward to working with partners and people supported by the service to continue to develop our offer over the months and years to come.”

Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for adult services at Bath

& North East Somerset Council, added: “We greatly value the work and services of DHI and are pleased that they will continue to provide vital support for residents; we also welcome Turning Point as an important new provider in Bath & North East Somerset.”

DHI recently celebrated its 25th

anniversary and has supported thousands of local people through difficult times, turning lives around across the city.

DHI is hosting its annual Reach Out conference for the families and loved ones of those affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use. This year’s event will be on Thursday 12th June.

Issue 101

P17 17

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Nursery workers issue warning over additional charges John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

STOPPING nurseries from adding additional charges to free childcare hours could have “potentially fatal risks,” childcare workers in Bath and North East Somerset have warned.

From 1st April, nurseries can no longer add mandatory additional charges to free childcare hours. But nurseries say that these charges are essential in making up the difference in the government funding for the free hours and the cost of providing care for children with additional needs.

While it means that parents will no longer have to pay a cost to access their free childcare entitlement, the childcare sector in Bath and North East Somerset has warned that it will now face financial constraints that hurt the quality and safety of their services.

Charlotte Lucas, founder of Free Rangers Forest School in Midsomer Norton, spoke for a large group of nurseries and childminders who attended

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s full meeting on 20th March.

She told councillors: “Collectively, we serve well over 3,000 local families, and our unified voice reflects the widespread apprehension and potentially fatal risks we’re expected to shoulder within our sector with less than 15 days notice.”

“The funding we receive for all ages of children does not meet our delivery costs so we have always worked in collaboration with the council to ensure we charge appropriate additional charges that act as another income stream to prop up the poor funding that is UK wide.”

The government funding for free childcare hours does not cover the cost of “consumables” like food and nappies at nurseries, which parents must pay for as additional charges.

But nurseries have now been told these charges must be optional for parents, and cannot be made mandatory.

Ms Lucas warned this could force the nurseries to eliminate specialised services for children needing extra support.

Charlotte Lucas (centre) with supporters | Photo © John Wimperis

She said: “Financial constraints will compel nurseries to adopt a 1:5 staff-to-child ratio for toddlers, significantly reducing supervision. This compromises safety.”

Previously, Free Rangers had provided all lunches itself which Ms Lucas said enabled it to control the 14 top allergens and ensure children were safe.

But now, with providers unable to make buying meals mandatory,

the nursery will be required to allow packed lunches — which could contain food unsafe for other children nearby.

She told councillors: “We cannot control that and that could be fatal.”

She also warned it would have an impact on children in the council’s care. She said: “Lookedafter children, already facing challenges such as trauma and developmental delay, rely on

stable, high-quality early years experiences. The reduction in support services due to financial limitations undermines their chances.”

Currently Free Rangers spends about £6,200 each year from its profits to ensure appropriate care for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The mandatory additional charges for a 9-5 day at the nursery had ranged from £3.62 for babies, who receive the most funding from government, to £27.42 for three to four-year-olds for a 9-5 day.

The new rule against mandatory charges is in the council’s new provider agreement with early years childcare providers.

It is not as the result of a council decision, but of a court ruling which has seen the new rule introduced nationwide.

Ms Lucas said she was told the council would write to the government but she said it needs to do more.

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that many providers had added the words “under address” when signing the new provider agreement.

‘Welcoming’ Bath Spa nursery rated Good by Ofsted

Becky Feather

Reporter

OAK Tree Day Nursery on Bath Spa University’s Newton Park campus has been rated as Good following its first Ofsted inspection.

The report was published last week following a visit at the end of February.

The nursery at Newton St Loe was registered with Ofsted in 2022 and there are 72 children on the roll.

The inspector says in her report: “Children enter this welcoming nursery happily and settle easily on arrival.

“They respond very positively to the friendly, caring staff. Children are content and comfortable in the nursery. Children learn to behave very well.”

Staff are said to get to know children well and use their knowledge effectively overall to provide a broad curriculum based on children’s interests and learning needs.

Established daily routines support youngsters’ self-care skills and they

develop good independence skills from a young age.

Staff observe and monitor children’s progress and identify what they need to learn next. Children learn to understand and manage their feelings safely and staff support children’s communication well.

Parents say their children love going to nursery and that staff keep them well informed of daily activities and personal care. Staff share ideas with parents for activities to do at home and provide continuity for children’s next steps of learning.

To further improve, the nursery is told to strengthen staff’s awareness of ways to adapt teaching and the organisation of group activities to help all children stay focused and engaged consistently well.

The inspector also says that more information should be gathered from parents at registration about their children’s existing developmental skills to help the nursery plan activities that are more focused right from the start.

The nursery is one of four registered by Buttercup Barn Day Nursery Ltd.

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Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

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Business Car dealer set to pay more than £18,000 following investigation A CAR dealer in the Batheaston area of Bath is set to pay more than £18,000 following an investigation by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Trading Standards team.

The investigation, which was launched after two complaints were received, saw South & West Motors Ltd, based on London Road East, plead guilty to breaching the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 by failing to meet professional diligence standards.

The court in Bath was told that South & West Motors Ltd sold a vehicle to a consumer without disclosing the known engine issues.

The business failed to ensure the vehicle was of satisfactory quality and fit for purpose and allowed the consumer to test drive and ultimately drive away a vehicle that was not roadworthy.

Within 15 minutes of the purchase, the vehicle broke down.

A mechanic later determined the head gasket had blown, with repair costs exceeding £3,000.

South & West Motors Ltd attempted to avoid the consumer’s statutory rights imposed by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 by applying trade terms to a consumer transaction.

A second complaint involved a

Retirement apartment plan for care home site

The former Newbridge House care home in Bath | Photo © Christie & Co

The company has been fined £10,000 and will have to pay an extra £7,800 in costs

vehicle that also developed faults shortly after purchase.

The business tried to limit its liability and the consumer’s rights by using terms requiring the buyer to assess the vehicle’s full condition, whereas the law requires the trader to ensure the goods are of satisfactory quality.

Furthermore, the company used a generic disclaimer about mileage accuracy and failed to provide a full refund when the buyer rejected the vehicle.

The company had been advised in detail by the Trading Standards team on several occasions over the previous five years, particularly in relation to their paperwork and trading practices.

At a hearing on Wednesday 12th

March 2025, Bath Magistrates’ Court imposed a £10,000 fine on South & West Motors Ltd. The court also ordered the company to pay £811 in compensation to the victims and £7,800 in costs to Bath & North East Somerset Council, resulting in a total financial penalty exceeding £18,000.

Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We are dedicated to protecting residents. If traders misrepresent vehicles or deny consumers their statutory rights, we will act decisively.

“This prosecution sends a strong message to businesses that noncompliance will not be tolerated.”

Becky Feather Reporter

THERE are plans to turn an Edwardian property in Newbridge from a former 20bed care home into retirement apartments.

The outline planning application for four-storey Newbridge Towers at 169 Newbridge Hill has been submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council by Alpus Projects Ltd. The care home closed in January 2022 and planning permission was granted last year to convert the detached property into a private house with 10 en-suite bedrooms and facilities including a gym, games room and cinema room.

Now an alternative proposal is

being brought forward to turn Newbridge Towers into 10 selfcontained retirement apartments with a mix of one and two bedrooms.

In 2013 plans for an 11-bed care home at the rear of the existing one were approved. These latest proposals say that instead of one large building at the rear, three smaller ones would be created set into the slope of the site.

Existing communal gardens and a patio would be redesigned to enhance outdoor living opportunities.

The plans also include parking at the rear with the reinstatement of a previously approved access road. Nine spaces for residents and guests would be provided.

The deadline for comments is 26th April. The planning reference is 25/00633/OUT.

New lease of life for Royal Oak pub Sunday opening for self-storage site in Bath A BATH self-storage centre, which recently secured planning permission for a major refurbishment, has now been given the go-ahead to open on Sundays.

Safestore, based at Bellotts House in Twerton, applied to extend its opening hours to include Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

The opening hours had been limited to 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.

Council planners said evidence available suggests that noise levels created by the site are low.

B&NES Council has not received

any complaints about noise from the centre.

The planning officers acknowledged that being able to operate on a Sunday will remove a considerable constraint for users of the site which will have an economic benefit.

PLANS have been submitted to redevelop the skittle alley at the Royal Oak in Widcombe for holiday lets as part of wider plans to bring the pub back into use and make it viable.

The pub at 8-10 Summerlays Place is Grade II listed and has been shut since 2022.

A planning statement submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council says that as well as plans to create two two-bed holiday homes, there are proposals to reconfigure the sprawling terraced pub.

The new owner is said to be keen to reopen the pub, which is currently in a poor state, and plans to reduce its size by

There are hopes to reopen the pub in Widcombe

reinstating No. 10 as a three-bed house. The former landlord’s flat would be turned into a separate two-bed home over the pub which would keep its main bar, cellar, kitchens and toilets.

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Bath letting agency acquired by Andrews Property Group

David Powell, managing director of Andrews Property Group | Photo © Andrews

ANDREWS Property Group has announced its acquisition of the Bath-based independent lettings agency HomeLets Bath.

This strategic move significantly enhances the group’s lettings portfolio, strengthening its market position within the Bath lettings sector.

The acquisition increases its total managed portfolio to over 5,500 properties, consolidating Andrews’ position as a key player in the regional lettings market.

David Powell, managing director of Andrews Property Group, which is based in Keynsham, said: “This acquisition is part of our ongoing commitment to growth in the communities we serve.

“We understand the unique character of Bath’s property landscape and the importance of maintaining strong local relationships.

“This acquisition of HomeLets Bath, a respected independent Bath lettings agency, strengthens our presence in the Bath property market with additional local expertise and portfolio growth.

“The acquisition will add £1 million to our group turnover and, as a business owned by a charitable trust, increasing our

profit helps to fund safe, high quality, and affordable homes for young people at risk of homelessness.”

Angharad Trueman, group lettings director, added: “We’re looking forward to getting to know the HomeLets Bath team and welcoming landlords and tenants to Andrews.

“Our priority is ensuring a smooth transition for everyone involved, maintaining the personal touch and local expertise that our customers value.”

Andrews has confirmed that the deal will not affect existing landlords and tenants, who will continue to receive the same level of service they’ve come to expect from the George Streetbased agency, now backed by the additional resources of a larger operation.

In May 2024 Andrews announced it was leaving its headquarters at Bath Hill in Keynsham after more than 30 years, saying working patterns and operations had changed since the pandemic.

A prior approval application submitted to B&NES Council to change the use of the Bath Hill offices to 15 homes was approved last month. Andrews’ registered office is in Keynsham High Street.

Controversial Bath padel court scheme being appealed after refusal Becky Feather Reporter

LANSDOWN Lawn Tennis & Squash Racquets Club is appealing after its controversial plans for padel courts were refused by Bath & North East Somerset Council.

A planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State will review whether the council’s planning committee was right to refuse the application last August.

Padel is similar to squash but played with a solid racquet.

Originally from Mexico, it has boomed in popularity since lockdown and is one of the fastest-growing sports.

A majority of members on the committee refused the application, against the advice of the planning officer, amid concern that the louder noise of the ball strike and increased comings and goings at the Northfields site would increase disturbance and harm neighbours’ mental health.

The club said that 60 members were having to drive from Bath to Bristol regularly to play the sport.

Its plans involve replacing one of the 11 tennis courts with two padel courts and a mini tennis court.

The padel courts would be surrounded by three-metre-high glazed glass to reduce noise but be just three and a half metres from the nearest house.

To establish predicted noise levels, measurements were taken from the use of the established padel court facility at Redland Green Tennis Club in Bristol.

Planning consultants acting for the Lansdown club say in their appeal statement that the council’s planning committee was wrong to disregard the advice of the professional council officer, adding: “It is our view that the reason for refusal is incorrect.

“The rigorous noise assessment undertaken demonstrates there

Padel has boomed in popularity since lockdown

would not be a significant adverse noise impact; therefore, the proposal should not be refused on noise grounds.”

Councillor Lucy Hodge (Liberal Democrat, Lansdown), who is vice chair of the planning committee, has asked that the appeal be dismissed, maintaining that the proposal would result in “significant harm to the residential amenity of neighbouring occupiers”.

Among the letters of objection sent to the planning inspector is one from a neighbour whose property overlooks the proposed padel courts.

They say: “The sound of tennis being played on the courts is clearly audible from my property.

The sound of a soft ball played on a stringed racket is acceptable.

“Some players make more noise than others, but that doesn’t tend to last long and again is acceptable.

“Padel is a different matter. A hard ball on a hard racket played at a faster pace, with the attendant increased excitement generating considerably more noise of an entirely different type to lawn tennis, is not an acceptable noise

intrusion into an otherwise quiet residential area.

“Lawn tennis is a long-standing feature in this area. Padel will change the face and nature of the club to an unacceptable level.”

Another neighbour says: “I am vehemently opposed to allowing the building of padel courts at Lansdown tennis club. I moved from Spain to Bath in 2022 and bought my house next door to the club.

“I have direct experience of living close to padel courts in Spain and can assure you that the gunshot sounds and constant shouting can be heard from 100 yards away.

“My previous house in Spain was indeed this distance and the noise pollution was a constant blight. Had I known this sport was going to be allowed in Lansdown Tennis Club I certainly would not have purchased the house.

“Padel is in itself a great sport but one that needs to be positioned sufficiently away from residential housing.”

research.

It can be a useful resource for employees, enabling more efficient working, reducing workload and, in turn, pressure and workplace stress.

However, real care needs to be taken in relying on ChatGPT output, as it is not always accurate or factually correct.

Employees’ use of ChatGPT therefore creates a potential liability for employers and, in turn, may result in conduct or capability questions for the employee.

Capability issues may also be relevant if an employee is relying on ChatGPT to mask their poor performance, lack of training, or lack of knowledge.

The use of ChatGPT therefore may make it more difficult for employers to identify capability issues at an early stage.

It may also be difficult to evidence the employees’ use of AI, making disciplinary and dismissal processes more challenging.

To mitigate the above risks, we recommend that employers have clear policies in place as to how AI can or cannot be used in the workplace, and that these are communicated effectively to staff.

In addition to the employment considerations, there are also important data protection, confidentiality, and intellectual property risks that need to be appropriately understood and managed.

The Employment Team at Stone King are involved in wider ongoing work around the education of organisations about AI. If you would like advice on such matters, please do get in touch.

Follow on Bluesky @bathecho.bsky.social

Legal Expert Harriet Broughton Partner

How could AI influence employment law considerations?

Stone King LLP

AI is becoming ever present in our working lives, with the opportunities it presents regularly discussed by all.

However, employers must proceed with care.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad catch-all phrase that includes automated processes and generative chatbots like ChatGPT. Automated processes present opportunities for employers to increase efficiency and reduce costs, and automated recruitment processes are often discussed.

However, while some argue that automation removes unconscious bias in such processes, there is evidence that human biases are adopted by

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AI systems and, consequently, discrimination may still occur.

Similar discrimination risks arise from the automation of performance processes. For example, if AI flags patterns of lateness or absence, leading to a disciplinary process, the employee may not be afforded the opportunity to explain “why” and, in turn, those with protected characteristics may be disproportionately affected.

These processes may also cause difficulty in defending unfair dismissal claims: if the employee has not been given the opportunity to explain “why” before disciplinary proceedings are instigated, the investigation stage of a fair process may be missed.

Additionally, ChatGPT and equivalent systems enable users to create content and undertake

P22

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Friday 11th April - Thursday 24th April 2025

Politics Council opposes Bristol Airport’s latest attempt to expand John Wimperis

Local Democracy Reporter

BATH & North East Somerset Council has vowed to battle Bristol Airport’s latest plans to expand.

The regional airport, located just across the boundary with neighbouring North Somerset, wants to expand to serve 15 million passengers per year.

The latest bid to expand its operations came just a year and a half after Bristol Airport won a High Court case to expand to 12 million passengers per year, a move opposed at the time by local councils.

Now Bath & North East Somerset Council has resolved nearunanimously that it will oppose the plans for the airport to expand to 15 million passengers too. Deputy council leader Sarah Warren (Bathavon North, Liberal Democrat) said the economic argument for airport expansion was “grossly overstated”, and said it could actually have “economic disbenefits”.

She told councillors: “In our region, Bristol Airport mainly provides for outbound leisure travel translating into economic disbenefits for our domestic tourism industries.

Bristol Airport now plans to expand its operations by around 50% at the expense of local residents who will suffer from increased traffic at all times of day and night, aircraft noise, and pollution.”

She said: “Bristol Airport is big enough.”

Bringing the motion before a full meeting of the council on 20th March, Chew Valley councillor David Harding (Liberal Democrat) said that people in the area faced speeding through villages and people parking outside their homes at all hours.

He described the airport as “a massive car park with an airport attached”.

He added that the airport also wants to increase its number of permitted night flights from 4,000 to 5,000. He said: “Bristol Airport already has more night time flight breaches than Heathrow.”

The airport’s expansion plans would see 14,000 more flights a year and the runway lengthened so that larger transcontinental planes could fly from the site.

Councillor Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent) said there were valid concerns but it was “a matter of balance”. He called for an assessment of the facts to be brought before the council before it took a stance.

He said: “Our region relies heavily on tourism, with Bristol Airport playing a key role in promoting Bath as a destination.

“We must also consider the environmental impacts. Is it more sustainable for travellers to land in London and drive across southern England or to fly directly into the West Country.”

But Tim Warren (Midsomer Norton Redfield, Conservative) said that he would be in favour of the council opposing the airport’s expansion, even though he had not been previously.

He said: “Although I use Bristol Airport, I do think enough is enough now and it’s big enough.”

The vote passed with 44 councillors voting in favour of opposing the airport’s expansion, with no votes against, although two councillors abstained: Councillor Hughes and Chris Warren (Saltford, Independents for B&NES).

Steve Clarke from Bristol Airport Action Network, the campaign group opposed to expanding the airport, had addressed the meeting as a public speaker

Photo © Bristol Airport

urging councillors to oppose the airport’s expansion.

He said he was “delighted” with the result.

He said: “B&NES have proved to be the leaders again in the fight against Bristol Airport. We really value their support and the fact that it was cross-party.”

But Bristol Airport has insisted that expansion would be a positive for the area. In a statement, a spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “The airport is critical to our region’s economy and Bath’s tourism sector, welcoming hundreds of thousands of inbound visitors each year.

“We are our area’s largest private sector employer, providing over 5,000 jobs, with 70% of employees living within 20 miles. We recently completed the consultation on our draft masterplan to 2040 and are busy analysing the helpful feedback we’ve received. A planning application to increase our capacity to 15 million passengers a year will be made in the coming months.

“We expect our proposals to

deliver 1,000 additional on-site jobs and support many more in our region, boost economic growth, and allow us to connect to new destinations, including the Middle East and North America.

“We hope to be able to work with Bath and North East Somerset Council so that we maximise the economic benefits for our area.”

It will be up to neighbouring North Somerset Council, not Bath & North East Somerset Council, to decide whether to grant planning permission for the airport expansion.

But B&NES Council will respond to the planning application to oppose the development, and the motion passed by councillors requests that the council leader write to government ministers and local MPs to inform them of the council’s view.

The motion also requests that all candidates for the West of England Combined Authority elections oppose the airport expansion.

Oli Henman, the Liberal Democrat candidate for West of England Metro Mayor who is also

a councillor for Walcot on Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “I agree with the call from Bath & North East Somerset Council to oppose further expansion of Bristol Airport.

“The airport has not even completed its current expansion plans so any further expansion is premature.”

He added that the airport was still not served by adequate public transport, and that rapid mass transit would be essential.

He said: “We face a climate emergency for people and planet.

“Last year saw the hottest temperatures ever recorded in the UK, and our area faces serious threats from flooding and storms.

“In this context, any expansion in air travel would lead to ballooning emissions and take us further into a dangerously heating world.”

Also standing in the West of England Metro Mayor election is: • Arron Banks (Reform UK) • Helen Godwin (Labour) • Mary Page (Green) • Ian Scott (Independent) • Steve Smith (Conservative)

Developer loses planning appeal over Southdown HMO Becky Feather Reporter

A DEVELOPER has lost a planning appeal to turn a threebed Southdown semi into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

A planning application was submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council last May for 32 The Oval, which is near the junction with Chestnut Grove and Ash Grove.

The proposal involved building single-storey rear and loft dormer extensions and changing the use of the family home to a six-bed HMO.

The council received 10 objections and ward councillor Jess David (Moorlands, Liberal Democrat) highlighted her concerns about the loss of another family home and the impact on parking.

In refusing permission last July, council planners said the proposal breached the tipping point where the concentration of HMOs begins to adversely impact on a community’s character and balance.

They also said although the proposed rear extension would be acceptable, a side dormer would harm the character and appearance of the area.

The developer appealed and the planning inspector appointed

by the Secretary of State recently backed the council’s decision.

She said the council had demonstrated there would be 14 HMOs, including six ‘clipped’ HMOs on the edge of the 100-metre radius, which would result in a concentration of 13.9%, a clear conflict with the council’s 10% threshold.

Whilst HMOs are more

concentrated on Coronation Avenue to the west, mapping data from the council showed a number of HMOs on The Oval, as well as in Chestnut Grove and Ash Grove.

Although the HMOs would be spread across a number of streets, the proposal would still result in an unacceptable level of HMO density within a 100-metre radius.

The inspector said it would therefore result in the unacceptable loss of accommodation in a locality in terms of mix, size and type, and would create an “overconcentration” of HMOs. She added that the appellant had

not provided evidence to suggest any of the HMOs identified by the council had been incorrectly classified, but had carried out their own research prior to making the planning application, based on information publicly available on the council’s website, which had shown only two other HMOs within a 100-metre radius.

The inspector acknowledged that this would have caused the appellant “some frustration” but added that how HMO data is published and updated is “unfortunately outside the remit of the appeal”.

She also agreed with the council that the proposed side dormer would look out of context.

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Issue 101

P23

Your City, Your News - Bath Echo

Fund to continue investing in arms companies THE Avon Pension Fund will continue to invest in aerospace and defence companies after concerns were raised it is funding the production of weapons being used in Gaza.

In a public meeting in Bath on Friday 28th March, the Avon Pension Fund Committee voted to maintain its current approach to investing.

The fund runs the local government pension scheme for 140,000 members across the Bath and Bristol area, who have worked across 450 local employers. The pension fund invests £18 million or 0.3% of its £6 billion assets in companies involved with defence, which primarily supply NATO partners and the UK government.

Brunel Pension Partnership hold the investments, meaning the pension fund doesn’t directly manage where the money is invested.

The committee considered two possible approaches to the Aerospace & Defence sector, to either stop investing in Aerospace & Defence, or continue to invest in companies which comply with UK and other laws in all sectors, including Aerospace & Defence.

As part of its decision, the committee considered multiple interrelated factors.

These included financial returns, local employment in defence, the role of Aerospace & Defence companies in UK & NATO defence, the impact of the current exclusion approach, petitioners’ views on the Israel-Palestine conflict and the committee’s

The fund currently invests in companies including BAE Systems and GE Aerospace

desire to hear the views of the pension fund members.

The committee noted that divestment, and establishing a new fund excluding Aerospace & Defence companies, would have cost around £1.5 million in oneoff and ongoing costs, shared across multiple employers in the fund.

The committee also heard that its investments in Aerospace & Defence comply with UK laws and that companies in which the fund invests include BAE Systems and GE Aerospace, which both provide Ukraine with defence products.

The pension fund’s approach to investments in Aerospace & Defence is underpinned by selective exclusions around controversial weapons and heightened risk assessments for companies operating in the sector.

Speaking after the meeting,

Councillor Paul Crossley, Chair of the Avon Pension Fund committee said: “We heard 11 moving and powerful petitions today, and we thank everyone who shared their views.

“We’ve thoroughly reviewed our investments in Aerospace & Defence and explored two practical options. At the end of the debate 10 committee members voted to continue investing in Aerospace & Defence, and three voted to divest.

“Now that the committee have made a decision in principle, we will consult our members, which will inform the committee’s final decision. We will report on the member’s views in public as soon as practical in 2025.

“We will also focus on ensuring our existing exclusion policy, introduced in 2024 to protect human rights, continues to be robustly implemented by our fund managers, who will

continue to engage Aerospace & Defence companies.

“We remain committed to ensuring our investments address a broad range of environmental, social and human rights issues, and to engaging with our many stakeholders.”

Campaigners have previously warned that millions of pounds in the pension fund is funding arms companies producing weapons being used by Israel in Gaza, alongside investment in companies profiting from illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Speaking at a protest ahead of a meeting in December 2024, campaigner Dr Eldin Fahmy said: “Avon Pension Fund is funnelling taxpayers’ money into companies aiding or profiting from very serious breaches of international law.”

He added: “This is not just a political choice. It is a matter of good governance for the fund.”

Business Directory Beauty

Construction

Planning Round-up More parking approved for Bath almshouses St John’s Foundation has been granted planning permission to create more car parking spaces behind the almshouse flats at Combe Park in Lower Weston.

The site currently has 24 parking spaces and the proposal is to add another five in a landscaped area.

Four semi-mature trees will have to be removed to but Bath & North East Somerset Council said the contribution they make to the character and appearance of the area is not significant enough to warrant refusal, and their loss will be off-set by replacement planting. The council also acknowledged that no cycle parking had been proposed but said the acceptability of the application must be considered on its own merits.

Greggs signs approved Greggs has been granted permission to replace two fascia signs and one projecting sign with new signage at its store in Southgate Street in Bath.

B&NES Council has also approved the re-painting of the shopfront in Greggs’ current corporate colour grey.

Latest HMO approval A mid-terraced house in Sedgemoor Road at Combe Down is to become a six-bed HMO, with a single-storey rear extension and a bicycle store. There were seven objections received, but council planners said the change of use is acceptable.

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Sport

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Stadium would be ‘Bath’s biggest carbuncle ever’ Becky Feather Reporter

THE filmmaker Ken Loach has penned an objection to revised plans for a new stadium at The Rec, saying it would be “the biggest carbuncle Bath has yet suffered”.

He is one of thousands of people who have responded to the latest plans for the home of Bath Rugby, with opinion very much divided.

The latest design retains much of the planning application from 2023, including an 18,000-capacity stadium, increased community use, regeneration of the riverside and a new café/restaurant, club shop and museum for non-matchday use.

The revised design includes a new curved roof form which reduces the height, resulting in increased views of the city and surrounding hills; enhanced landscaping to the river; a redesign of the East and West Stand façade; and a re-engineered and enhanced seating bowl.

But in his objection submitted to Bath & North East Somerset Council, Mr Loach, who has lived in the city for over 40 years, says the application is “ill-conceived, inappropriate, and would cause great harm to the conservation area, the iconic views, and the outstanding universal values of this World Heritage Site.”

He says the plan is not substantially different to the previous one; for example, the height of the roofs is the same except that the north ends are curved and slope down.

He adds: “The building of a large modern sports stadium in the heart of the Georgian city is simply absurd. The visual context for the city has long been cherished.

“The view of the green hills from

How the proposed stadium would look from above | Image © Bath Rugby

the Abbey and Orange Grove with the delicate Pulteney Bridge on the left and the handsome North Parade to the right, will be broken by the unavoidable presence of a large modern sports arena.

“It is hard to think of a more visually destructive proposal than this.”

Mr Loach says it is “no wonder that UNESCO has made its opposition to this project clear”.

He adds that the Rec is in a conservation area: “This large modern structure clearly does great visual harm. On that basis alone it should be rejected.”

He also queries why the application is not being made

by Bath Rugby but by a company called Arena 1865 Ltd: “If Bath Rugby were to fail, who would benefit from the remainder of the lease? What might then be built to replace what will then be an outdated stadium?

“What arrangements will be in place to return the space to the people of Bath, as originally intended. Remember this is the future of what was once a green recreation ground for all to share.”

Mr Loach concludes: “To

quote the then Prince Charles, when speaking of another misjudged proposal, this grossly inappropriate sports arena would be like a ‘carbuncle on the face of an old friend’.

“If by some terrible error this proposed building were to be built, it would be the biggest carbuncle Bath has yet suffered.”

Pulteney Estate Residents’ Association (PERA) meanwhile, which represents over 500 residents, has employed planning experts and lodged three detailed objections to the latest stadium development proposals – a general planning one, one covering noise and a third focusing on the transport impact.

It says the 365-day-a-year use of the stadium, shift of the main entrance to William Street, periodic closure of North Parade Bridge and increase in capacity will, together, have a “massive and permanent impact” on the area and the lives of residents – and not just those who live closest to the stadium. “The resulting noise, crowds and traffic chaos will form part of our daily lives.”

PERA says there would be “extreme noise levels” from the many extra events planned: “No mitigations of these excesses are planned and the cumulative effect of such noise levels night after night – which are subject to national guidelines – has not been considered.

“Residents, both close by and further afield, will have the quiet use of their homes and gardens regularly interrupted by excessive noise spill from the new stadium.”

The residents’ association adds that the commercialisation of the West Stand, “adding bars, restaurants and party rooms for hire and conferences, will not only suck business away from the town centre but will cause 365-day-a-year nuisance to our residential area”.

Among those supporting the proposals are former Bath and England captain Phil de Glanville, who has called it a “superb and sympathetic development which will be a great asset to the city and people of Bath”.

Also in support is Bath Preservation Trust. It says it has objected to “every previous iteration of any proposal brought forward for a permanent stadium on The Rec over the last 20 years” but is now satisfied that the proposal under consideration provides “the most effective option under the circumstances and in light of the significant history of abandoned designs”.

It adds: “This development, perhaps more than any other in living memory, has provoked the most significant divergence of views and the final decision will provide ‘winners and losers’ irrespective of the outcome.”

B&NES Council is due to make a decision by early September.

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Crossword answers - Issue 100 (28/03/2025) Across: 1 CFCs, 4 Chairwoman, 9 Brazen, 10 Eventual, 11 Gandhi, 12 Beeping, 14 Biography, 16 Kelp, 19 Semi, 20 Astronomy, 22 Offered, 24 Hoists, 27 Slippage, 28 Untied, 29 Exaggerate, 30 Wash.

Down: 2 Formative, 3 Sized, 4 Cannibal, 5 Abed, 6 Reeled, 7 Outspoken, 8 Again, 13 Chest, 15 Guinea pig, 17 Limitless, 18 Art house, 21 Menace, 23 Felix, 25 In tow, 26 Beta.

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Bath City FC Saturday 12th April – 3pm Bath City v Dorking Wanderers (Home) League Friday 18th April – 7.45pm Bath City v Farnborough (Away) League Monday 21st April – 7.45pm Bath City v Chippenham Town (Home) League Wednesday 23rd April – 7.45pm Bath Women v St Vallier (Home) League

Bath Rugby Sunday 13th April – 5.30pm Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby (Home) European Challenge Cup – R6 Saturday 19th April – 3pm Bath Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (Away) Gallagher Premiership – R14

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