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Running from now until Friday 21 March, the council is asking for views on potential new housing developments in Weston-super-Mare (primarily Wolvershill), south-west Bristol, Nailsea and Backwell.
Several rounds of consultation have already taken place with the public and stakeholders to help North Somerset Council prepare its 15-year Local Plan covering 2025 to 2040. However, shortly after coming into power in July 2024, the new government gave all councils revised - and in most cases, increased - housing targets.
North Somerset Council has been asked to find development sites for a total of 23,895 dwellings from now until 2040 – 8,620 more than the number proposed by the council in the last version of the Local Plan, which was 15,275 dwellings.
Therefore, the council is now asking the community for their views on which locations these additional 8,620 homes could be built in order to meet the new housing target. Supporting infrastructure such as roads, employment, schools, medical facilities and public transport will also be considered, though delivery on much of this depends on government funding which is not certain.
The council has a legal obligation to produce a Local Plan and must comply with the government’s policies including the National Planning Policy Framework. Responses to this new consultation will inform the selection of the proposed additional development sites which will be included in the updated Local Plan.
The final version of the Local Plan will then go out for further public consultation later this year and will then be submitted to the planning inspectorate for independent examination.
Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s executive member for spatial planning, placemaking and economy, said: “Large parts of North Somerset are protected as a result of green belt, flood risk or are part of the Mendip Hills National Landscape. This makes the job of delivering the new homes that local people need a difficult balancing act. This challenge has not been made any easier by the imposition of an increased target by the government.
“The Local Plan will try to provide a positive vision for the future of North Somerset, help address housing needs, support employment and help shape local communities. This will mean some hard choices and we need local residents and businesses to take part in this consultation and have their say. In particular, if there are alternative ideas or development sites that we can consider, we need to hear that now.”
Four drop-in events from 3pm to 6 pm will be taking place where members of the community can come and view plans and ask questions. No need to book – just turn up:
• Wednesday 26th February - Jubilee Pavillion, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9DP: 3 – 6pm
• Wednesday 5th March - Weston-super-Mare Library, Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, W-s-M, BS23 1UJ: 3 – 6pm
• Friday 7th March – Nailsea United Reform Church Hall, Stockway North Nailsea, BS48 1AQ: 3 – 6pm
• Monday 10 March – Backwell WI Hall, Station Road, Backwell, BS48 3QW: 3 – 6pm
The consultation is now live at Regulation 19 - Additional Sites Consultation (February 2025) - North Somerset Council Consultations.
Supporting information can be found at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/LP2040additionalsites.
For more information about North Somerset Council’s Local Plan, please visit: Local Plan 2040 | North Somerset Council