Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) Council has launched its Draft Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation, giving residents, businesses and community groups the opportunity to comment on proposals that will shape development across the district until 2043.
Following consultation, the plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination before it can be adopted.
For Whitchurch Village, the Draft Local Plan proposes major change, including a new secondary school, a new primary school, a Local Centre, transport infrastructure, and around 1,740 new dwellings.
This article is intended to help Whitchurch Village residents understand the proposals affecting the village and how to participate in the consultation process.
Whitchurch Village Council will publish its resolved response to the Draft Local Plan consultation on this page following its next scheduled meeting.
Information is available on the B&NES Draft Local Plan Consultation Portal: 👉 https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/
To view the consultation questions, visit: 👉 https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/index.php?contentid=8 (
Whether you support, oppose or wish to amend the proposals, residents are encouraged to read the relevant documents and submit their views before the consultation closes at 5pm on 30 October 2026.
Key facts at a glance
🔹 Consultation opened: 18 September 2026
🔹 Consultation closes: 30 October 2026 (5pm)
🔹 This is the final public consultation before examination by a Planning Inspector
🔹 Approximately 1,740 new dwellings proposed in Whitchurch Village
🔹 North Whitchurch allocation: new secondary school
🔹 East Whitchurch allocation: 1,040 homes + Local Centre + primary school + healthcare
🔹 Proposed new dwellings could increase the village’s population by 200%
🔹 Whitchurch Village Council will consider its response at its next meeting
🔹 Residents are strongly encouraged to submit their own responses
🔹 Taking part in B&NES Council’s consultation is the only way to guarantee your views are seen by the Planning Authority
What is the Draft Local Plan?
The Local Plan guides where future development should take place and how it should be delivered. It sets out proposals for housing, employment, transport, education, healthcare, green spaces and environmental protection across Bath & North East Somerset.
Whitchurch Village is identified as part of the Bristol to Bath Corridor, a strategic growth area including Keynsham, Saltford, Hicks Gate and Whitchurch Village.
B&NES Council describes the corridor as a key location for delivering sustainable growth while strengthening economic and transport links between Bath and Bristol.
Why is this consultation different?
This is the Regulation 19 stage the final public consultation before the plan is examined by a Government‑appointed Planning Inspector.
Earlier consultations asked residents what “options” should be considered. This consultation asks whether the Draft Local Plan is:
- Legally compliant
- Sound
Every response submitted will be sent to the Planning Inspector as part of the examination.
This is the last chance for residents to influence the plan before examination in 2027.
The scale of change proposed for Whitchurch Village
The Draft Local Plan allocates land for:
North Whitchurch Village – Policy 3.12
📄 View in Chapter 3 (PDF): https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/documents/Chapter3.pdf
- New secondary school
- Community sports facilities
- New walking and cycling routes
- Green Belt release
East Whitchurch Village – Policy 3.13
📄 View in Chapter 3 (PDF): https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/documents/Chapter3.pdf
- Around 1,040 dwellings
- 40% affordable housing
- A Local Centre (shop, healthcare, community hall, employment space)
- A new primary school
- New A37 access road
- Potential closure of Sleep Lane
- Significant green infrastructure and public open space
- Green Belt release
For context, Whitchurch Village has around 2,000 residents. The proposed development would more than double` the population.
Residents may wish to consider both the opportunities and challenges associated with development of this scale when preparing their consultation responses.
South‑West Whitchurch Village – Policy 3.14
📄 View in Chapter 3 (PDF): https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/documents/Chapter3.pdf
This allocation is smaller than East Whitchurch but plays a strategic transport and infrastructure role.
Key proposals:
- 700 Dwellings.
- A new Travel Hub on the A37
- Enhanced bus facilities and active travel connections
- Walking and cycling improvements linking to National Cycle Network Route 3
- Green infrastructure and landscape buffers
- Support for traffic management measures in the village
- Contributions to wider transport upgrades across Whitchurch Village
Useful Links
▪️ Draft Local Plan Consultation Portal https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/
▪️ Chapter 3 – Bristol to Bath Corridor (Whitchurch Village) https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/documents/Chapter3.pdf
▪️ Draft Local Plan FAQs
Welcome to the Bath & North East Somerset Draft Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation
▪️ Interactive Policies Map https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/development-plan
▪️ B&NES Newsroom: Final Consultation Announcement https://newsroom.bathnes.gov.uk
▪️ Keynsham Area Forum Information https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/area-forums
▪️ B&NES Council YouTube (Local Plan briefings) https://www.youtube.com/user/bathnescouncil
Understanding the Regulation 19 consultation
Regulation 19 refers to the legal stage where the public can comment on whether the Draft Local Plan:
- Meets legal requirements
- Is “sound”
The Planning Inspector will consider all representations during examination.
What does “sound” mean?
A Local Plan must be:
- Positively Prepared
- Justified
- Effective
- Consistent with National Policy
What does “legally compliant” mean?
The plan must:
- Follow the Local Development Scheme
- Meet the Statement of Community Involvement
- Be supported by a Sustainability Appraisal
- Comply with planning legislation
- Demonstrate effective engagement with relevant bodies
How can residents respond?
B&NES Council asks that representations are submitted through their online consultation portal:
👉 https://haveyoursay.bathnes.gov.uk/localplan/index.php?contentid=8
Residents can also submit responses by email or post:
📧 planning_policy@bathnes.gov.uk 📞 01225 394041
Every representation matters — each one is considered individually by the Planning Inspector.
What can be included in a response?
B&NES Council advises that responses should:
- State which policy or paragraph you are commenting on
- Explain why it is legally non‑compliant or unsound
- Provide evidence where possible
- Clearly state the changes you want to see
Two PDF files can be uploaded as supporting evidence.
Next steps
After the consultation:
▪️ B&NES reviews all representations
▪️ The plan is submitted for independent examination
▪️ A Planning Inspector assesses legal compliance and soundness
▪️ Public hearing sessions are held
▪️ The Inspector may recommend modifications
▪️ B&NES decides whether to adopt the plan
Timeline: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/emerging-local-plan-development-timeline