New round of consultation on Local Plan

On 4 December North Somerset councillors agreed to run a public consultation on potential additional locations for development to address the government's new higher housing target for North Somerset.

The consultation is set to take place in early 2025 for at least six weeks, subject to any further government announcements on national planning guidance. This follows several rounds of consultation on the emerging Local Plan with the public and key stakeholders since 2020.

Most of the additional development is expected to take place at the proposed strategic growth locations of Weston-super-Mare, Nailsea/Backwell and South West Bristol identified in the 2022 draft plan. People have already shared their views on these locations in earlier rounds of consultation.

As the government's revised housing target of 23,805 new homes over 15 years is significantly higher than the previous target, the council will also ask the community for their views on which locations outside of these strategic areas are preferred for future development and the necessary supporting infrastructure required such as roads, employment, schools, medical facilities and public transport.

Responses to the consultation will inform the final selection of proposed development sites in the Local Plan. The updated Local Plan will then be consulted on for a final time, before being submitted for independent examination.