THE WEEK IN East Bristol & North East Somerset Issue 791
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26th July 2023
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Row as plan to improve Keynsham shopfronts is ‘ignored’ There is anger that Bath & North East Somerset Council
not complied with my advice of submitting an application,
won’t be taking enforcement action against a shopfront
thus the advertisements remain unauthorised. Because of this,
in Keynsham, even though it doesn’t comply with rules
we have had to assess the expediency of pursing formal
drawn up to improve the town centre’s heritage.
action.
After Keynsham Town Council highlighted concerns that the
“However, as there are other shops in the near vicinity with
shopfront of No 1 Turkish Barbers in Temple Street was not
very similar advertisements, this premises' shopfront could
in keeping, B&NES Council carried out an investigation –
not be considered incongruous to the surrounding area.
but has said it won’t be pursuing formal action.
Therefore, I'm afraid we won't be able to pursue this matter
In response the town council has accused B&NES of
further.”
“surrender” and says the design guide drawn up as part of the
Following a meeting of the town council's planning
orange shutter and illuminated signs were installed.
costly four-year heritage improvement project has been
committee last week, B&NES has been urged to rethink the
The enforcement officer in that case told the town council
“ignored”.
decision. The town council said: “We are not happy with the
that the illuminated hanging sign had been removed and the
The Keynsham Shopfront Design Guide was produced to
surrender approach that has been taken in respect of this
shutter painted grey: “Whilst this was welcomed and does
ensure that the High Street and Temple Street conservation
enforcement matter.
partly address the issue, I have made the owners of the
areas are protected from brightly coloured advertising
“The town council requests that B&NES Council rethink this
business aware that this does not fully solve the breaches of
signage. It was put together by a partnership including
decision which goes against the plans to have coordinated
planning control and the other illuminated sign will need to
B&NES, the town council and Historic England.
shopfront designs, as detailed in the Keynsham Shopfront
be removed, in addition to further alterations to the
The town council was told that a B&NES enforcement officer
Design Guide produced as part of the Keynsham High Street
shopfront.”
visited the barber’s shop and informed the owners that the
Heritage Action Zone.”
The officer continued: “Whilst we are aware that the current
advertisements at the front did not have an exemption or
The town council added: “A considerable amount of money
shopfront appears inappropriate in the location and is unlikely
deemed consent under Town & County Planning regulations,
and resources have been spent working on this guide, for the
to get permission, we always try and resolve breaches of
and they should submit an application for advertisement
contents of the same to be ignored.”
planning control through informal means in the first instance
consent to try to authorise them.
• B&NES Council has also been dealing with another
and in this case, we have managed to negotiate partial
The officer told the town council: “Since my visit I reached
enforcement case at the former Wright Butcher’s shop in the
compliance. We hope to be able to work with the business
out to them via email several times; unfortunately they have
High Street, which is now Keynsham Mini Market. An
owners to find a resolution as soon as possible.”
B&NES Council has been able to negotiate ‘partial compliance’ so far with this store
Also in this week’s issue
Wellsway in Keynsham closes for 12 weeks . . . page 2
South Glos bin strike latest . . . page 3
Page Park in Staple Hill scoops top award yet again . . . page 5
Sikh school plan for Kingswood pub . . . page 7