Pre-submission plan 2040: additional sites consultation

A consultation on additional housing sites to meet the new government's housing requirement ran from 7 February to 21 March.

In December 2024, the government released the new National Planning Policy Framework, which confirmed a significantly higher mandatory housing requirement for North Somerset of 23,475 dwellings over the 15-year plan period. This is an additional 8,200 above the proposed housing supply target in our emerging Regulation 19 plan of 15,275 dwellings.

The additional sites consultation closed on 21 March and we have now published a consultation statement which summarises the main issues raised for each site, as well as a summary of the responses to the questionnaire. 

All the representations can now be viewed on our online consultation system. 

Following the conclusion of the additional sites consultation and having considered the responses received, a report will be presented to the Cabinet on 18 June seeking approval of a package of additional residential allocations to be included in the Regulation 19 plan to meet the government's housing requirement.

A further report will be presented to Cabinet on 10 September seeking approval of a full Regulation 19 plan containing all allocations, detailed policies and infrastructure requirements for consultation and submission.

It is anticipated that the North Somerset Local Plan 2040 will be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination in December 2025.

Identifying additional sites

The consultation aimed to identify where additional development is possible at sustainable locations across North Somerset, outside areas at risk of flooding or other significant constraints. This will need to take account of delivery and infrastructure issues, such as transport improvements and the provision of other infrastructure.

The consultation was only in relation to potential new housing sites and not other aspects of the plan, including other policies and allocations. There will be further opportunity for comment on the revised local plan later in 2025.

The consultation

All the consultation material is below:

• consultation paper on additional sites for the Regulation 19 plan 
• more sustainable locations map
• less sustainable locations map
• composite map
• strategic housing land availability position statement
• SHLAA: urban area schedules
• SHLAA: village schedules
• SHLAA: less sustainable sites
• short guide to the additional sites consultation
• guide to responding online

Drop-in events

Consultation drop-in events were held at the following locations throughout the consultation period:

• Wednesday 26 February: Jubilee Pavillion, Keedwell Hill, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9DP, 3-6pm
• Wednesday 5 March: Weston-super-Mare Library, Town Hall, Walliscote Grove Road, W-s-M, BS23 1UJ, 3-6pm
• Friday 7 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

A new pre-submission plan 2040 was agreed by the Cabinet on 17 July 2024. This was based on our local housing target and no strategic allocations in the green belt. 

It also responded to comments received through the previous regulation 19 consultation in 2023 as well as an amendment to the plan period to 2025-2040.

This will be updated following the additional sites consultation. Consultation on the full regulation 19 plan will be held later this year.