North Somerset Council is set to launch a public consultation on its updated Local Plan, outlining proposals for nearly 25,000 new homes, alongside job creation and key infrastructure developments over the next 15 years. The six-week consultation period will run from late October to December 2025, offering residents an opportunity to shape the region’s growth.
The plan targets sustainable development, emphasizing low-carbon housing that meets stringent energy efficiency standards. It also prioritizes protecting and enhancing the natural environment, supporting biodiversity, and contributing positively to the local landscape.
Between 2026 and 2041, the Local Plan envisions constructing approximately 24,495 new homes and designating around 72 hectares for employment purposes. Infrastructure improvements such as enhanced roadways, expanded public transport, schools, healthcare facilities, and green spaces are integral to the strategy.
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While Weston-super-Mare and Wolvershill north of Banwell remain focal points for housing growth, the plan introduces three additional strategic growth areas—Woodspring near South-West Bristol, Nailsea and Backwell, and Pill with Easton-in-Gordano. Collectively, these locations are expected to accommodate thousands of new dwellings, fulfilling increased government housing mandates.
Council members have expressed frustration over mandatory government housing targets, voicing concerns about the strain on local infrastructure. Cllr Annemieke Waite, Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, emphasized the council’s commitment to infrastructure-led growth. “We want to deliver affordable homes for our communities, but development must be supported by adequate schools, roads, and healthcare services,” she said.
Cllr Jenna Ho Marris, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, highlighted the plan’s focus on health by addressing broader determinants such as transport, education, jobs, and housing quality.
The updated Local Plan also adapts to changes in national Green Belt policies, revises settlement boundaries, updates affordable housing requirements, and promotes active travel routes.
Despite these proactive measures, opposition voices challenge the plan’s scale and potential consequences. Green Party Councillors Thomas Daw and Bridget Petty criticized the government-imposed targets and the impact of urban sprawl. They called for a balance between housing needs and sustainable community development, with adequate funding for infrastructure.
The consultation document lists numerous preferred development sites across North Somerset, detailing specific locations and the number of homes planned for each. Key areas include:
- Weston-super-Mare: 359 homes across multiple sites including South of Manor Farm and Leighton Crescent.
- South West Bristol (Woodspring Golf Course area): Up to 4,000 homes.
- Nailsea and Backwell: Over 2,000 homes across various farms and lanes.
- Pill and Easton-in-Gordano: Approximately 1,100 homes over several sites.
- Other towns such as Clevedon, Portishead, Banwell, and more have designated sites for housing development ranging from a few dozen to several hundred homes.
The council stresses the importance of resident feedback, which will inform an independent examination by the Planning Inspectorate in summer 2026. Adoption of the plan is expected following this review.
As North Somerset embarks on this significant growth journey, the challenge remains to balance urgent housing needs with the protection of the environment, infrastructure capacity, and community wellbeing.