Appx 1 Executive Summary PDF 64 KB - Bath and North East ...

In addition we propose that the Council should :
• Seek to maintain a viable guest accommodation sector. The impact of new hotel
development on this sector should be monitored and policies reviewed
accordingly.
• Encourage some modest expansion of self catering and hostel accommodation.
• Prioritise the search for ways to create a conference facility to boost business
tourism midweek,
• Review car parking policy and provisions for hotels
• Consider the potential for the inclusion of visitor accommodation land uses into
employment land use policies.
Outside Bath in the rest of the District, visitor accommodation is more varied, limited
in scale and performs less well. There is little indication of any great development
pressure and in much of the rural area there is a presumption against development.
Aspirations are to accommodate some growth in population and employment, to
revitalise the market towns and diversify the local economy, spread the benefits of
tourism more widely capitalising on the presence of Bath, and protect the quality of
the environment.
In the light of the above we think the appropriate accommodation strategy for the
rural areas and market towns should be one of small scale, incremental growth
capitalising on the area as a base from which to visit Bath and to enjoy activities and
scenery in the surrounding countryside.
We suggest the main opportunities lie with:
• Modest extensions to existing hotels.
• A new hotel in Keynsham in the medium term, probably a mid market budget
hotel.
• Small scale accommodation extensions to pubs and restaurants with rooms.
• Conversions of rural buildings to self catering accommodation in existing
settlements and associated with attractions, activity centres and recreational
routes.
• The development of new forms of camping, probably on farms or close to
settlements.
• Extensions to existing caravan and camp sites.
Planning policies alone cannot be relied on as the sole means of determining the
scale, shape and mix of accommodation development. If the Council wants to directly
influence the shape and size of the accommodation offer it will need to take a more
pro-active role in terms of targeting selected hotel operators and developers,
allocating sites for hotel development in the City centre, bringing together developers
and hotel operators, and using its own land holdings to secure specific outcomes.
S:\Major Projects\Dev & Regeneration\3. PROJECTS\Destination Management Plan\ACCOMMODATION STUDY\STUDY DOCUMENTS FROM TOURISM COMPANY\FINAL STUDY
DOCUMENTS\EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.doc