Residents across the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area are being encouraged to have their say on how the district should grow and change over the next twenty years.
Sedgemoor District Council’s Local Plan, known as its Core Strategy, is due for its five-year review and the authority is keen to hear what things people think need changing or updating within the document.
The review will forward the plan by another five years, planning new development in the District up to 2032.
To help gather this valuable feedback from the public, the Council has produced a consultation document and is inviting comments.
Planning Officers have arranged a series of events, exhibitions and presentations where they can talk through the policies and listen to people’s views. The consultation is the first stage in a long prescribed process, which will end in June 2017.
This consultation period starts on Monday October 26th and runs until December 18th, after which the Local Plan will be re-drafted incorporating the changes and put out for further consultation next summer. It will then be subject to examination by planning inspectors.
“Among the topics covered by the Local Plan are Housing, Employment, Retail and Infrastructure. When adopted, the Local Plan will identify the Council’s vision for how these and other topics should be managed, which policies should apply and where new development should be allocated,” said a council spokesperson.
“Other key issues for discussion include safeguarding the natural and historic environment, adapting to climate change and design principles. This is an important opportunity for people living and working in the district to have a say in how it would look for the next generation of citizens.”
“Now is the time to speak up about what sort of place residents want Sedgemoor to be in the future. Planning affects so many aspects of our daily lives from where we live, how we travel, what careers we can choose and how we spend our leisure time, that is why taking an active part in its processes is so worthwhile.”
The consultation document, initial Sustainability Appraisal Report and other relevant supporting documents can be found online on the Council’s website here or at the Sedgemoor District Council Offices, Bridgwater House, Kings Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR Monday to Friday – 9:00am to 5.00pm. For further information, please contact the Planning Policy team on 01278 435544 or by email at ldf@sedgemoor.gov.uk
The local consultation events will be held as follows:-
Burnham-on-Sea
Public consultation – Saturday 31st October 9am-3pm at Food and Drink Festival, Princess Street
Burnham and Highbridge
Town Council consultation – Monday 2nd November 6:30pm at Old Court House
Berrow
Public consultation – Tuesday 3rd November 1-6:15pm at Village Hall
Parish Council consultation – Tuesday 3rd November 6:15pm at Village Hall
Highbridge
Public consultation – Tuesday 10th November 1-8pm at Highbridge Community Hall
Wedmore
Public consultation – Wednesday 18th November 1-7pm at Council Rooms
Parish Council consultation – Wednesday 18th November 7:30pm Council Rooms
East Brent and Rooksbridge
Public consultation – Thursday 26th November 2-8pm at Village Hall
