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The Local Plan aims to deliver more affordable homes, create sustainable, accessible and attractive places and give more opportunities for local jobs near to where people live in North Somerset.
The council’s Executive Committee will consider the latest version of the ‘Local Plan 2039’. This identifies where development can and cannot take place in North Somerset, while guiding investment for new housing, jobs, transport and community facilities over the next 15 years.
The plan has been shaped by the response received to the three phases of consultation between 2020 and 2022. The council has used this feedback to inform the latest version.
If the plan is approved by Executive members, a final stage of public consultation would start later this year. The plan will then be submitted for examination by an independent inspector.
The new Local Plan covers the 15-year period 2024-2039. Based on a housing target of 14,902 dwellings over the plan period which reflects local needs and the constrained nature of North Somerset, it is lower than the government’s standard method target calculation for the area. Most new growth is anticipated to take place in and around the Weston area, and with a new strategic growth location identified at Wolvershill (north of Banwell) for 2,800 dwellings, employment and other uses. The plan seeks to maximise the delivery of affordable housing wherever possible on both brownfield and greenfield sites.
In order to support economic growth and jobs, the plan encourages key local employers to develop, regeneration of town centres, and proposes a new employment area at M5 J20 at Clevedon.
The plan avoids development outside the towns in areas at risk of flooding and seeks to protect sensitive parts of the Green Belt from development. The approach to development within settlements is simplified with revised settlement boundaries identifying where new development is acceptable in principle.
Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council's executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy, said: “The government’s housing target for North Somerset is currently 20,205 new homes over the next 15 years. We believe this goes too far and would require building in green belt and village locations that is not appropriate. Without a Local Plan we could end up with unplanned growth in the wrong places, with no supporting facilities.
“The latest version of the plan being considered next week is very much a product of all the extensive engagement and consultation work that has taken place. I’d like to thank everyone who has taken part and had their say to date. We’ve listened and I strongly believe that we’ve produced a Local Plan which helps address housing needs in sustainable locations and makes sure North Somerset continues to be a vibrant, quality place to live, work and visit.”
More information is available in the report published today (Tuesday 10 October) on the council’s website.