Planners suggest building flats on Tesco car park

HOMES could be built on some of Keynsham’s town centre car parks to help meet future needs, under options listed in the Local Plan.

Ashton Way and Labbott North and South car parks have been highlighted as potential sites for housing, as has the Tesco supermarket car park in Danes Lane.

Bath and North East Somerset Council’s public consultation document on its Local Plan says one option would be to move the Tesco store to the front of the site and build homes above it. This would create an “improved” supermarket and “active frontage” to Danes Lane. Another option would be to reduce the size of the car park – or create a multi-storey car park – and build a block of flats on part of it.

The consultation document states: “It should be noted that no discussion has taken place with Tesco regarding these options.”

When contacted by the Voice, Tesco confirmed it had not been consulted by B&NES Council but offered no further comment.

The consultation document also suggests the potential for redeveloping half of the Ashton Way car park for housing, leaving the rest for parking, and for using both of the Labbott car parks to provide flats.

The document says that B&NES Council’s commitment to a “sustainable transport plan” for Keynsham includes the aim of reducing the need for parking spaces in the town centre over the period of the Local Plan.

This would be achieved through improving public transport, walking and cycling options.

You can respond to the public consultation online at https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/local-plan-options-consultation or by post to Local Plan Consultation, B&NES, Lewis House, Manvers Street, Bath BA1 1JG. The deadline for responses is Tuesday April 16.