|
`A Vision for Bath' Series Depth to Carboniferous Limestone south of Bath (image 140k) BATH IN THE 21st CENTURY Clive Thomas, Strategic Director, Economic and Environmental Development, B&NES, on 14 September 2001.
• It has a high quality Built and Natural Environment and active engagement in maintaining it. • It is located in a prosperous part of the South West. • It has a good international profile. • It has excellent education provision from primary schools to Universities. • There is, at present, low unemployment. • There is a healthy level of public interest and engagement • It has generally good access to other parts of the country with a modest level of congestion relative to other cities. • It has a core of `creative' commerce. • There is enormous potential for improvement.
• The cost of housing is very high. • There is a low retention of graduates. • The income to the economy is volatile, partly because of the variability of tourist numbers. • The availability of land is limited by Green Belt and AONB restrictions. • Office accommodation is limited, generally poor quality or inappropriate. • Links with Bristol are weak. • The population is skewed in age towards the more elderly. • There is a tendency to concentrate on detail rather than the bigger picture. • Retail trade in Bath is challenged by new retail developments in the sub-region.
• The Western Riverside development. • The Southgate and Kingsmead developments. • The World Heritage Site Management Plan. • The possibility of maximising synergies and links with Bristol whilst preserving separate and distinctive characters. • The potential for University-based research and development companies. • The possibility of developing the City into a centre of excellence for Sustainability and `Green' technology.
A vision becomes a reality if • It transcends `political' agendas. All political parties in the Council have to agree to it. • It secures broad `ownership' amongst the residents and businesses. • It formulates and holds to Key Principles and does not let them get corrupted by details. • It accepts that short-term pain will be inevitable to achieve eventual success, but maintains its resolve. • It sees the vision as a staging post on a long journey, not the destination. • It accepts that changes to the external environment may affect the vision. (The effects of the events of this week, the terrorist attack on America, may be such a change.) • To realise that a vision requires real commitment and resources. *******
Building within the Georgian area should be good reproductions of Georgian architecture. There must be minimum physical change in Georgian and Victorian areas. Elsewhere, 21st century design using good materials is acceptable. Housing in new areas should retain terraced structures to keep in character with Bath. The riverside must be cherished and the river used for transport and recreation. The Green Belt must be preserved by incorporating it as a buffer zone of the World Heritage Site. The streetscape must be preserved, not modified to meet short-term problems of congestion. Control and limit the vehicles, don't alter the streets. Improve public transport. Owners of Georgian buildings must be helped to maintain them with grants. Civic pride must be fostered and restored by providing a clean and safe environment.
Bath changed in the second half of the 20th century: `New Bath' was the cry resulting in Southgate "Nine acres of Georgian rubble". It is to be hoped the form, character and setting will be protected in the 21st century. The population declined and is not likely to increase again, although the age distribution will change. New buildings should be to a scale and style that harmonise with the old, and in appropriate materials. A balance is essential between the needs of residents, businesses and tourists. To quote Thomas Hardy "Well, `tis a curious place to say the least and it must be a curious people that live therein" let us keep it that way.
Many recent controversies have been due to a lack of vision; we must have a sense of our destination and a route map to get there. The Chamber has consulted its members for ideas about the future of the City. Four topics were of prime importance: Transport we need good access, viable delivery arrangements, and adequate parking for new developments. A rapid transport system, not just from E to W, is necessary. Quality we must aim high and rebuild civic pride. There is a need to regain faith in the professionalism of B&NES staff Projects Besides the Spa, Southgate, Western Riverside, the University, MOD and the RUH developments, we need a sports stadium, concert hall and conference centre. Basics good educational and social services; good libraries; clean and clear streets and sufficient clean, public toilets are required. Our visitors in 2026 should say "Wow!" about the last 25 years as well as the previous 250 and 2500 years. Bath University ( Paul Elmer) Simply, the University is going to grow. It has changed from a technical college to one of the top ten Universities in the UK over the last 25 years and will grow in numbers to twice its size in the next 10-15 years. It will operate on a world stage. It has to grow regionally and may end up as a family of institutions from Gloucester to Salisbury and Swindon, with students from 16 to 80+ and new methods of learning. Where can it grow in Bath?
In the 20th century, Bath sprawled; in the 21st it must build houses at high density on `brown field' sites in the City, otherwise it will spread to become an appendage of Bristol. The Government's target of 7000 extra houses in B&NES must be defeated. Improvements in public transport might include a rail line to Bristol along the old route. **** General Discussion Sixteen members of the audience contributed and responses to most of their points were made by the speaker and the representatives of organisations Major subjects to arise were: • The need for an Arts Centre, possibly incorporating a concert hall. It was suggested that either the Guildhall or the King Edward's School buildings might be converted. • The need to foster civic pride. This requires buildings and streets to be constructed of high quality materials, and for the Council to lead the way. • "Without quality, Bath will perish". • It is essential to maintain the present Green Belt around the City, perhaps by incorporating it into the world Heritage Site, (if it is not already in it). • Detailed points raised included: • The need to include young people. • Consultation on each development should take place before the plan is finalised, and comments must be heeded • Street art and sculpture is required. • High density building of houses in terraces is a Bath tradition. The whole meeting was recorded. A pair of CDs or two tape cassettes can be borrowed by applying to the BRLSI Office.
|
