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Cabinet agreed today (Wednesday 15 October) to publish an updated version of the Local Plan for public consultation, which will run for six weeks from the end of October to December 2025.
Once adopted, the Local Plan will guide future sustainable growth with a focus on building low-carbon homes that meet modern energy efficiency standards, whilst also ensuring development is sensitive to the local environment. It also sets out a commitment to protect and enhance the natural environment, support biodiversity, and make a positive contribution to the local landscape.
But council leaders have voiced frustration that government-imposed housing targets are forcing challenging levels of development across the district and are calling for developers and ministers alike to back the infrastructure needed to support it.
Cllr Annemieke Waite, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, said: “Let’s be clear: we want to deliver new homes, especially the affordable housing that so many local families need, but we are deeply concerned about the scale of development being forced upon us by central government. Our residents deserve communities that work - not just housing estates without the schools, roads and GP surgeries they rely on.
“This plan is about securing infrastructure-led growth. We’re challenging developers and government to step up and deliver the transport links, healthcare, education and jobs that must go hand in hand with new homes.”
The updated plan proposes 24,495 new homes between 2026 and 2041, alongside around 72 hectares of land for new employment space. It also identifies key supporting infrastructure, including road improvements, public transport routes, schools, medical facilities and green spaces.
The majority of new housing growth remains focused in and around Weston-super-Mare, and at Wolvershill to the north of Banwell. However, as a result of increased mandatory housing targets set by government, three additional strategic growth areas have been added: Woodspring (to the southwest of Bristol), Nailsea and Backwell, and around Pill and Easton-in-Gordano.
Cllr Waite added: “This plan is about shaping a greener, fairer future for North Somerset. We’re balancing the need for homes and jobs with tackling the climate emergency and safeguarding our natural spaces for generations to come. We know many communities will be worried about what this means for their area. We share those concerns. That’s why we want everyone to take part in this consultation - to make sure local voices are heard loud and clear before any decisions are finalised.”
The updated plan also reflects changes to national Green Belt policy, settlement boundaries, affordable housing requirements and new transport priorities, including active travel routes.
Residents, businesses and organisations will be able to comment on the proposals during the six-week consultation period. All feedback will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination in summer 2026, with adoption expected to follow the Inspector’s report.
Further information about the Local Plan can be found at: *Committee Report NSC