So far Will and Dave have been able to support three local projects through their Ward Councillor funding. These are:
– A local Arts and Crafts Group which meets at Hillside Hall.
– For new mobile story boards
-To plant on the Moorfields Estate
If you are a small community group based in Oldfield Ward we may still be able to help you with a small grant of £250-£500. Please contact us directly to discuss your application, but be quick funds are limited!
The Council’s Cabinet last night gave notice of intent t0 implement an Article 4 direction to cover the City of Bath within 12 months. If you are unsure what an Article 4 direction is, please see our HMO Q&A.
This decision has the effect of launching a formal six week public consultation at some point within the next 12 months.
After the consultation results and any other information that is required has been collected, the Cabinet will meet again to decide whether to:
The reason for giving this notice of intent is that it protects the Council from being sued by Investors if the final decision – to be taken in 12 months time – is to Confirm the Article 4 Direction
The Council also agreed to ask for evidence as to whether an Additional Licencing scheme should be applied to Homes of Multiple Occupation in the City. The HMO Q&A also explains what a licensing scheme could do.
Cllr Will Sandry made the following comments after the meeting:
“I am happy with the outcome, and was pleased with the engagement by students in our community (who spoke against the Article 4 direction) with both Local Government, and Oldfield residents (who spoke in favour).
In my speech I was clear that the universities have a corporate social responsibility not to take on more students than they or the city can accommodate.
Whilst I recognise the universities need to grow their businesses, they must engage with the Council so that we can understand their housing needs and help facilitate their aspirations for growth in a sustainable way.
The massive increase in the number of HMOs in recent years has had a long term impact on housing available in Oldfield Park for anyone not looking for multi-occupancy accommodation. The long term stability of a viable, diverse community is at a tipping point as a result of the rapid change of tenure.
Council also agreed to progress a licensing scheme for HMOs which has the potential to improve the quality of accommodation in the private rented sector. I am fed up of seeing students and other young people in my community in sub-standard accommodation, with bad landlords who do not invest in the property.”
Tesco have withdrawn their planning applications on the Bath Press site.
Commenting Cllr Will Sandry said: “This was always the wrong site because it was too close to Moorland Road and the traffic at the Windsor Bridge / Lower Bristol Road Junction would have been horrendous.
I know that many people in our community want a Tesco as direct competition for Sainsbury’s and to give them more choice as to where to shop. I am sure that Tesco will be considering other potential sites in the City.
I hope that plans come forward for both affordable housing and office units at the Bath Press Site. “
Delivery is scheduled for 22nd March, but the date might change. We will update our website to let you know.
The bridge will be arriving in sections and a crane will be used to put it in place.
The transport route for the bridge and the crane will be from the Wellsway via Bloomfield, Hensley, Egerton, Cotswold and Hillside Roads.
All Parking and Loading will be suspended on the route and Monksdale Road will be closed in both directions.
The closure will effect the 17 bus route and we understand First will be publishing the details of the route change.
The race takes place on Sunday 11th March. Parking suspensions in Oldfield Park will be the same as previous years. Oldfield Lane, Second Avenue, Junction Road, and Lower Oldfield Park will all have parking restrictions in place from 06:00-15:30. This is to improve access for the emergency services and buses.
Both Upper and Lower Bristol Roads will be closed from 09:45-15:30. Click here for the Residents’ information leaflet from Bath Half Good luck to all the runners!
The offensive graffiti on the shelter in the Sand Pits play area has been removed by the Council.
Our local Police have identified the perpetrator and due to his age, he is eligible for the restorative justice programme. He will be spending time cleaning off graffiti in our local community under the guidance of the Council’s Youth Offending Team.
Local residents will remember that the shelter was provided for the whole community because it was identified as a priority by local residents.
Will commented: “Like many in our community, I was upset to see this abuse of the shelter. I am however pleased that a young person has the opportunity to understand what he did was wrong and avoid a criminal record on this occasion.”
There have been a spate of moped thefts in recent weeks in Oldfield Park and elsewhere in the south of Bath. Police are advising moped owners to review their security.
We have had a number of contacts from residents who have been frustrated by the lack of parking in recent weeks.
In response, we have added a new page to our website about Parking.
It summarises the results of previous resident surveys, outlines the future pressures on parking in our community and gives an idea of what kind of scheme could operate in our area.
Click here for the Parking page or use the Parking Tab on the main menu above.
As soon as details of the Council’s next formal community consultation on parking is available we will let you know.
In the mean time please complete our informal survey on the right hand side of this website, or add your comments to our Parking page.
It is rare for an issue to unite a community, but the excessive number of “To Let” signs some property agents put up at at this time of year does so.
The community in and around Oldfield Park does not like them. This is because:
• The signs clutter the streetscape;
• They remind longer term residents of the rapid change of tenure in recent years;
• They advertise that there are multiple high value portable electrical items in the property.
The properties are mainly (and sometimes exclusively) marketed to students in our community. Students and property agents alike have the internet available for finding and advertising property, and additionally have access to the Accommodation Service at both universities.
As you will be aware, the Council can take action to prevent all advertising in the area. If introduced, this would apply to all advertising boards all year around. It would not distinguish between “To Let”, “For Sale”, or any other type of advertising.
The community pay Council Tax; your businesses pay business rates. If the Council implements a formal policy to restrict the use of advertising boards, the cost will be met you, me and all other local tax payers.
I note with gratitude the restraint shown by some Agents this year, but unfortunately not all Agents have shown the same respect to the community.
I say to all property agents advertising in Oldfield Park at the moment: Please do our community a service and take your “To Let” signs away now.
Yours faithfully
Cllr Will Sandry
Member for Oldfield Ward – Bath and North East Somerset Council
c.c.
B&NES Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning;
B&NES Divisional Director of Planning & Transport Development
On Thursday 26th January, between 11am & 12 Reporters will be at the Velo Lounge to meet Bath Chronicle readers from in and around Oldfield Park.
Maybe you have some views and comments on local issues, or a new local story for them? If so Paul Wiltshire and Felicity Crump will be there to hear from you.