A drive to breathe new life into riverside areas across Bath and north east Somerset has been embedded in a new planning blueprint.
B&NES Council's latest core strategy backs the newly-formed River Regeneration Trust's desire to put the Avon at the heart of the district.
Trust chairman Geoff Dunford said the area had turned its back on the river, and needed to connect with it through greater leisure use.
Trust member and architect Philip Challinor said: "This is one of the most exciting periods in the development of Bath and its surroundings. As the interface between the people of B&NES and the council, the trust will ensure that new river-based communities will be shaped by those that care about building inspirational places where we don't just live, work and play, but where we thrive and prosper."
The strategy will guide development for the next 16 years across B&NES.
The council's river champion, Councillor Dave Laming (Ind, Lambridge) said: "I am very excited with the outcome of the core strategy debate and the council's unanimous support for the creation of the trust with Geoff Dunford at its helm – the epic journey starts now."
