Category: News

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

Publow with Pensford Parish Council invites parish residents to attend a drop-in session:

 Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Date: Thursday 4th September

Venue: The Old School Room, Pensford (formerly Church Room)

 A resident has kindly offered to give the Parish a new plot of land at no cost. The plot lies behind the George & Dragon and the offer entails the diversion of a stretch of public right of way. Residents will have the opportunity to find out more about this at the drop-in session.

Feedback: This project is important to the Parish and has already generated significant interest, so we want to hear from as many residents as possible.

 Residents can hand-in a feedback form at the drop-in meeting. Just complete, comment and drop it in a box. 

 If you are unable to make the drop-in meeting, a paper feedback form will be available in Pensford Post Office from Friday morning until Saturday 6th September.

Residents can also have their say by submitting an online form. This will be available until Saturday 6^th September on the Parish Council website at: publow-with-pensford-pc.gov.uk/feedback.

Closing date: The Parish Council urges residents to share their views before the deadline. You can hand-in a feedback form at the drop-in session or you can submit it on-line or via the Post Office by Saturday 6th September at the latest.

The Parish Council will carefully consider responses with final recommendations presented to the next Parish Council meeting on 8^th September 2025.

Please do make the effort as this your chance to make your voice heard.  A brief summary is provided below but we do encourage residents to come and speak to the Parish Councillors to find out more to help you understand what the proposals mean for our area.

Emergency Alert Test Scheduled for Sunday, 7th September 2025

At 3:00 PM on Sunday, 7th September 2025, mobile devices throughout the UK will receive a test alert from the government’s Emergency Alerts system.

This message, which will be distributed across all 4G and 5G networks in the UK, will clearly indicate that it is a test and that no further action is necessary.

This test marks the second occurrence of its kind and is part of the government’s commitment to regularly assess the system to ensure its optimal functionality and to familiarise the public with the alerts.

What to Expect:

Your phone will vibrate, emit a loud siren sound, and display a message on the screen, lasting approximately 10 seconds.

The message will read: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK government service designed to warn you of life-threatening emergencies in your vicinity. No action is required.”

Reason for This Test:

The government is conducting this test to ensure the system operates effectively in the event of actual emergencies such as floods, fires, or severe weather conditions. No action is required; it is merely a test.

For Those in Vulnerable Situations:

In advance of the national test, the government is implementing a public information campaign to inform individuals about the test, including targeted communications for vulnerable groups such as victims of domestic abuse.

How to Disable the Alert (Opt-Out):

If you need to keep your phone discreet or wish to avoid loud sounds, you can disable emergency alerts:

For iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later:
Navigate to Settings
Search for “Emergency Alerts”
Disable “Severe Alerts” and “Emergency Alerts”

For Android devices running Android 11 or later:
Navigate to Settings
Search for “Emergency Alerts”
Disable “Extreme threats,” “Severe threats,” and “Show amber alerts.”

Available Resources:

A British Sign Language video is available to explain the alert: BSL Info Video
Easy Read guides and audio versions are also available

Additional Information:

Full message and details: Government Press Release
GOV.UK prepare: Emergency preparedness tips
If you are concerned or need support, please contact your local support services or visit Women’s Aid Information & Support

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

(THTTC3929 CHURCH STREET, PENSFORD)

(TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE ONE-WAY RESTRICTION)

(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) ORDER 2025

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 intends to make an order the effect of which will be to temporarily introduce:

• A road closure in that length of Church Street, Pensford from a point outside 7

Church Street extending north west to a point outside The Rising Sun pub. USRN: 47903999.

• The one-way restriction will be temporarily suspended on Church Street, Pensford to

allow residents to enter/exit at either end of Church Street. A traffic marshal will be

on site to ensure vehicles can safely enter/exit the area.

This order is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road to enable Bristol Water to carry out a stop tap replacement and confirm service material from the 26th August 2025 for a maximum period of 6 months. The road will only be restricted as and when traffic signs are in position and may not be effected for the whole of the period but only for so long as is necessary to execute the works. This is anticipated to be for TWO DAYS.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: Church Street (remainder) – A37 – Vice versa.

Link to One.network: https://one.network/?tm=144616159

Applicant Details: Ryan Clarke Telephone: Bristol Water – 0117 9662267 Email: ryan.clarke@bristolwater.co.uk

Dated: 7th August 2025

Traffic Management Team Lewis House Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JG

Chris Major Director of Place Management

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL

(THTTC3925 SHORT LANE, PENSFORD)
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF USE BY VEHICLES) ORDER 2025

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 intends to make an order the effect of
which will be to temporarily introduce a road closure in that length of Short Lane, Pensford
from its junction A37 New Road extending north east to its junction with Hillcrest.
USRN: 47903939.

This order is required because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near
the road to enable contractors to carry out repairs to a damaged wall from the 24th
August 2025 for a maximum period of 6 months. The road will only be restricted as and
when traffic signs are in position and may not be effected for the whole of the period but only
for so long as is necessary to execute the works. This is anticipated to be for SIX WEEKS.

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: A37 New Road – Police Lane – Hillcrest Rear Lane – Vice versa.

Link to One.network: https://one.network/?tm=144459785

Applicant Details: Hailey Stephenson
Telephone: GTM – 01787 237509
Email: Hailey.Stephenson@gtm.co.uk

Dated: 7th August 2025
Traffic Management Team
Lewis House
Manvers Street,
Bath
BA1 1JG

Chris Major
Director of Place Management

 

Are you aged over 50? Do you live in rural North Somerset? Are you looking for additional support with your computer, tablet or mobile phone?

WERN’s North Somerset Tech Ready service provides 1:1 home support sessions for anyone living in rural North Somerset and aged fifty or above, who is looking to gain confidence with using technology. The project aims to support people in developing their digital skills for use in a rapidly evolving technological world.

Whether it’s offering additional support finding your way around a mobile phone, navigating a computer, or getting to grips with a tablet, WERN’s Digital Inclusion Officer offers personalised support to make using digital devices more accessible and less intimidating. In addition to home visits, WERN is also able to attend community sessions or village groups to offer additional support.

WERN’s Digital Inclusion Officer, Will Marcombe, can help with things such as:

• Creating safe online accounts for shopping or paying for Council Tax
• Setting up GP or NHS Apps to access medical services
• Setting up devices, such as Alexa, to give you medication reminders
• Sending emails and attaching documents, files or photos

If you would like to access this service or discuss in more detail, please contact Will by phone or email.

Call: 07787 358 982

Email: will@wern.org.uk

For more information visit WERN’s website at https://www.wern.org.uk/digital-inclusion