Category: News

EMERGENCY CLOSURE BY NOTICE
SECTION 14(2) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984
PUBLIC BYWAY CL17/41, BRISTOL ROAD, PUBLOW

Notice is given that Bath and North East Somerset Council in exercise of its powers under section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 has temporarily introduced a closure with immediate effect on the section of Public Byway CL17/41 commencing from the junction with Bristol Road at grid reference ST 6179 6545 (Point A on the Notice Plan) and proceeding in a generally northeasterly direction for approximately 465 metres to the junction with Blackrock Lane at grid reference ST 6215 6572 (Point B on the Notice Plan).

This temporary closure is required because of the likelihood of danger to the public: namely the danger caused by a large fallen tree. The closure has come into force with immediate effect and will be effective for 21 days.

Applicant Details: Public Rights of Way Team
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Email: prow@bathnes.gov.uk Telephone: (01225) 394943
Public Rights of Way Team, Bath and North East Somerset Council
Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JG
Dated: 6 November 2025

Shortly before 11 AM on Sunday 9th November, the roadway next to Pensford War Memorial in Church Street closed to all traffic and filled with parish residents who assembled to show their respect and gratitude to those who served and died for our country. 

The service of remembrance was led by the Rev. Canon Trevor Stubbs. At 11 am, the bugler, Mark Golding, sounded the Last Post and the Guides lowered their flags for two minutes silence. Charles Wookey read out the names of the fallen.

Wreaths were laid by Parish Council Chair Cllr Sue Grimes on behalf of all Publow with Pensford residents, by Andrew Hillman for Pensford, Publow and the Stanton’s Community Trust, and by Charles Wookey on behalf of the Armed Forces. A floral tribute and a tribute painted on a stone were also laid above and around the wreaths.

After the act of remembrance, many residents retired to the Old School Room for refreshments.

Our thanks go to PCSO Martyn Bragg for policing the Parade. 

At our Parish Council meeting on 13th October your parish councillors considered the latest Bath and North East Somerset Local Plan Options document. The proposed options for Pensford involve an obligation to accept a further 25 homes in our Parish to be met by infill only and it was resolved to respond to agree to this.

However; your councillors considered that the threat of expansion of Whitchurch Village by some 5000 homes would clearly have a detrimental effect on our own Parish. It was therefore resolved to respond to the consultation to say that the Parish Council objects to the large number of houses proposed for Whitchurch Village. Councillors were concerned about the knock-on impact of additional traffic that would be generated by such a large development in our neighbouring parish both on the A37 through Pensford and the rural lanes that run through our Parish.  

One of the four options set out for new housing sites in the Local Plan could mean more than 5,000 new homes being built around Whitchurch Village. There was a very large attendance at an open meeting held at the Legion in Whitchurch Village on Tuesday 21st October, to discuss the plans.  Members of the public expressed concerns that the plans would turn Whitchurch Village into a town and would destroy the greenbelt and the village community. A further concern is that the extra houses would lead to the revival of the South Bristol Wrong Road which was previously withdrawn after strong public opposition. 

Read a report on the meeting in Bristol Live here. 

The Options Document is a consultation, it is not set in stone.  It is just the first stage in agreeing the Local Plan. The consultation ends on November 14th.  Members of the public are encouraged to submit their own views to Bath & North East Somerset Council by 14th November. You can submit your views on the Bath & North East Somerset web portal here, or you can write and send a signed letter to BANES at Lewis House, Bath, BA1 1JG, stating your personal views. 

A useful template letter has been published on the Whitchurch Village Action Group. Your Parish Council is not responsible for this, but it does address the main concerns for Whitchurch Village. If you wish to use it, please add your own comments, with specific reference to Pensford. All residents have the right to comment on the Local Plan options, not just Whitchurch Village residents, so it is vital that our own parishioners make their voices heard.

Notice is given that Bath and North East Somerset Council in exercise of its powers under section 21 of the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 has made an order to the effect of which will be to close temporarily to vehicles Church Street, Pensford from its junction with the A37, for a distance of approximately 30 metres.

This order is required in order to prevent obstruction during the Remembrance Day Parade and will be operative on Sunday 9th November 2025. The closure will be for approximately 45 minutes and is scheduled to start at 10:45 hrs until 11:30 hrs.

TRO Ref: THTSC971

https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/traffic-order/remembrance-day-parade-pensford

The new Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan could mean an expansion of house building in our neighbouring areas of Whitchurch Village, Temple Cloud and Clutton. Although this should only indirectly affect our parish, residents may wish to find out more by attending the Council’s consultation events which will provide more details of the plans and how they might affect the local community. A list of events in our adjacent areas are listed below:

The Local Plan Options consultation runs from Friday 3 October to Friday 14 November 2025. You can access the consultation via the BATHNES dedicated website: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/

The Bath & North East Somerset Local Plan Options consultation is now live and will run from Friday 3 October to Friday 14 November 2025. You can access the consultation via the BATHNES dedicated website: https://bathnesplaces.co.uk/localplan/

This consultation follows the spring 2024 consultation and reflects Bath & NES Council’s decision to reset the Local Plan process in response to changes in national planning policy and local priorities.

The revised Options Document sets out updated approaches to development across Bath and North East Somerset, including refreshed site options and policy directions.

You can submit comments online via the above website. Written responses are also accepted. If submitting by post, please clearly state which site or policy option your comments relate to and send them to:

Planning Policy
Lewis House
Manvers Street
Bath BA1 1JG

All comments must be received by 5pm on Friday 14 November 2025.

Paper copies of the Options Document and Executive Summary are available at the One Stop Shops and libraries across the district.

If you have any queries, please contact BATHNES at: local_plan@bathnes.gov.uk

 

Bath and North East Somerset Council needs land for more than 27,000 new houses which the government wants them to build in our district council area by 2043.

A public consultation has been launched on which sites to designate for new housing in the new local plan.

Seemingly, Pensford has largely escaped any new building but our villages will feel the impact of additional traffic passing through the village centre from new developments on other parts of the main A37 route to the north and south of our parish.

Read more on Somerset Live here: https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/people-asked-build-27000-houses-10545039

This notice contains notice of various road closures in Publow, Clutton, Chelwood and Paulton. Only Lower Bristol Road, Clutton / King Lane, will be closed this Friday 3^rd October 2025 between 09:30 – 15:00hrs. The other roads listed will be closed sometime within the next 18 months. Dates to be confirmed once agreed. 

Chew Valley Arts Trail – find a treasure and enjoy the Valley Villages

Our local Artists and creatives are looking forward to opening their studios and venues for the 22nd Chew Valley Arts Trail on 11th and 12th October – 10am to 6pm daily.

This year visitors can see 46 exhibitors in 26 venues which includes 17 newcomers and for the first time this includes Pensford Village.

This is a chance to meet artists, talk to them, browse or purchase treasures, get tips or learn about future workshops. Participants across the trail include painters, sculptors, carpenters, jewellers, textilers, lino cutters, photographers, potters and an internationally renowned street artist!”

For more information visit: https://www.chewvalleyartstrail.co.uk