North Somerset Council has revealed an extensive update to its Local Plan, detailing where approximately 24,495 new homes and significant employment land will be developed between 2026 and 2041. This ambitious blueprint aims to accommodate growing housing demands while addressing infrastructure needs and environmental concerns over the next 15 years.
The updated plan, approved for public consultation from late October through December 2025, emphasizes sustainable development featuring low-carbon homes compliant with modern energy efficiency standards. It commits to protecting and enhancing the natural environment, supporting biodiversity, and enriching the local landscape.
Strategic housing growth will center mainly on Weston-super-Mare and Wolvershill north of Banwell. However, responding to increased government housing targets, three additional growth areas are introduced: Woodspring near southwest Bristol, Nailsea and Backwell, and around Pill and Easton-in-Gordano. The plan also identifies four key strategic locations expected to deliver thousands of new homes and employment opportunities, including 3,300 dwellings at Wolvershill and approximately 3,700 residences in Nailsea and Backwell.
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Despite the plan’s comprehensive scope, local leaders express frustration over government-imposed targets, worrying these developments strain existing infrastructure. Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment, Cllr Annemieke Waite, stressed the importance of infrastructure-led growth, urging developers and government to ensure essential services such as transport, healthcare, education, and jobs keep pace with housing expansion.
Cllr Waite emphasized, “We want communities that work—not just housing estates without adequate schools, roads, or GP surgeries. This plan balances new homes and jobs with tackling the climate emergency and safeguarding natural spaces. We encourage all residents to participate in the consultation to voice their concerns and shape the outcome.”
Health is also a priority, according to Cllr Jenna Ho Marris, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, who highlighted that broader determinants like transport, education, and employment significantly influence health outcomes. The updated plan integrates changes to national Green Belt policy, settlement boundaries, affordable housing mandates, and promotes active travel routes.
While community feedback is welcomed during the consultation, some councillors remain critical. Green Party Councillors warn that unchecked urban sprawl may exacerbate infrastructure problems without funding or proper planning. They call for proportional development aligned strictly with local needs and stress accountability among developers and government.
The document lists numerous preferred development sites across North Somerset, from Weston-super-Mare to smaller villages like Wrington and Yatton, involving a mix of urban expansions and countryside land. Weston-super-Mare, as the principal town, features multiple smaller parcels for development due to flood risk constraints, while the Woodspring area proposes a large-scale project of 4,000 homes.
As North Somerset prepares for this vital consultation phase, residents, businesses, and organizations have the opportunity to contribute to shaping the district’s growth strategy, balancing necessary expansion with community values and environmental stewardship.