Parish Announcements and Alerts

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