Stakeholders have just days left to register opinions on the West Somerset Local Plan – which will shape development in the area for the next 20 years.
The Draft Preferred consultation ends on 16 May and planning specialists at Colliers International are encouraging the public, investors, developers and interest groups to ensure they make their views known.
Associate Director of Colliers International, Marcus Plaw said the draft planning document could raise the profile of West Somerset by attracting inward investment and directing sustainable development.
He said: “The draft Local Plan currently under consideration will set out the area’s strategy for the next 20 years. So with that timescale it is critical that it is robustly prepared to ensure that from the outset it drives West Somerset forward in the right direction. This is a very important document and the opportunity to contribute to it and influence its content should be embraced.
“Residents and businesses in both rural and urban areas need to think about how they want to see their environment and amenity enhanced and work out how this is best achieved.”
The Bristol-based planning specialist said West Somerset had unique development pressures.
“Some areas of the economy perform better than others. The opportunity is presented here to influence all aspects of the development strategy right across the district to ensure that well planned, sustainable development is supported so that it builds on the inherent strengths of West Somerset and bolsters weaker areas particularly in the business and industrial sectors.”
He said the growing and aging population needed to be housed and supported in order to head off the shifting demographic of West Somerset, with younger and economically active people looking outside of West Somerset to live and work.
“The council is aiming to broaden the area’s economic base to complement the benefits of tourism, agriculture and the care services. Growth is very much on the government’s agenda and given the timing of the consultation it will be important for the Local Plan to reflect the recently published National Planning Policy Framework with its presumption in favour of planned, sustainable development.”
He concluded: “Whilst the main focus of new development is Minehead with around 65 new dwellings each year to be provided, other towns and villages have a role in sustaining themselves.
“Communities should seek to identify services and facilities that are required and consider how best these can be delivered. Where a development could provide wider sustainable benefits by perhaps maintaining existing facilities then due consideration should be given to identifying how best to bring the development forward. Engaging in this consultation either directly or through a planning specialist will ensure that comments are fully considered by the Council and an Independent Planning Inspector.”
The Council’s web page has links to the draft Local Plan and its supporting evidence along with helpful guidance on how to present comments and ensure they are duly made.
