Senior officials from Somerset Council have called on local residents to actively participate in shaping the county’s development by having their say on the new Local Plan. This plan will determine how land is allocated to accommodate up to 75,000 new homes by 2045, as well as employment space, schools, and essential infrastructure.
The consultation process is currently in its early stages, inviting public feedback on how Somerset should grow over the coming two decades. At a recent event held in Taunton on 11 July, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, Gideon Amos, engaged with residents on these issues, advocating for planning reforms that protect local interests. The session was chaired by Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, the council’s portfolio holder for communities, environment and climate change. Other panel members included Councillor Mike Rigby, Westward Housing Association CEO Stephen Lodge, and Magna Housing CEO Selena White.
Under government housing targets, Somerset is required to plan for 75,000 new homes-an increase of 41 per cent since the Labour government was elected in 2024. As Mr Amos emphasised, “The government is telling us that we have to have this many homes in Somerset-this is being imposed on us.” He expressed concerns over a centralised planning system that limits local input and risks impacting both communities and the natural environment.
READ MORE: Somerset Council scales back major upgrade to A38 crossing near Axbridge
READ MORE: From Glasto to Gastro: Somerset Care Home Hosts Exciting Food Festival This Weekend
Councillor Rigby stressed that Somerset Council has a legal obligation to allocate sufficient land in its Local Plan to meet these requirements. “We cannot avoid putting enough space in the Local Plan to meet that number,” he said, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
However, there is significant skepticism about whether all these homes can actually be built, given infrastructure pressures and demographic trends. Jackie Benham, sustainability manager at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted potential strains on services, warning, “We are making the environment worse for our children if we do not sort out these issues first.”
Mr Rigby pointed out that Somerset’s population growth has historically been slow, and the government’s assumptions about a 30 per cent increase in the next 20 years seem optimistic. “I guarantee that if we came back in 20 years’ time, that number of homes will not have been hit,” he remarked.
Similarly, Mr Amos noted that government policies linking housing permissions directly to economic growth lack evidence. “There are 11,000 homes in Somerset with permission which have not been built,” he said.
A key topic of local debate is the proposed ‘Taunton garden village’, where developers seek to build thousands of homes near the Blackdown Hills. Campaigners such as Rob Hossell from Save the Blackdown Vale stress the importance of protecting this area’s environment and heritage. Fellow campaigner Colin Fisher criticised plans for large-scale developments in the Blackdown Vale as contradicting earlier council commitments.
Councillor Rigby expressed his opposition to developments that would affect the character of Taunton and voiced concerns over land sales such as the Brookfield Nurseries site in Ruishton, which Taylor Wimpey succeeded in developing after winning an appeal. He acknowledged ongoing efforts to understand the circumstances of that sale.
There was broad consensus on the importance of prioritising the redevelopment of brownfield sites rather than encroaching on greenfield land. Residents like Susan Prow called for more encouragement to build flats on vacant town centre sites, especially to support first-time buyers.
Councillor Rigby explained that brownfield developments face financial challenges since developers are asked to contribute towards various community needs, such as health and education facilities. Despite this, there has been progress at the Firepool site in Taunton, where significant council investment has helped prepare the area for housing and improved connections to the town centre.
Mr Amos underscored the under-utilisation of brownfield sites nationally, mentioning efforts to hold owners accountable to ensure development proceeds.
Affordable housing, particularly in rural areas, was another focus. Ms White highlighted the lengthy waiting times for social housing and the need to provide the right homes at suitable rents, enabling people to live near their families. Mr Lodge added that social rent structures remain tightly regulated, with affordable rents less common.
Residents who wish to contribute to the Local Plan consultation can do so online at www.somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/planning/local-plan-scoping-consultation-2026/consultation/ until 9 August. The consultation period was extended in response to public feedback, allowing more time for valuable input.
Councillor Rigby emphasised the importance of public engagement, stating, “We really want to hear from people how they would like Somerset to evolve, so we are allowing extra time-more than double the government’s recommended time-scale.” He clarified that this initial consultation focuses on broad issues rather than specific development sites.
The council plans to publish a summary of consultation responses in early November. A second consultation round, which will include detailed proposals on development locations, is expected to begin in September 2027. The final consultation stage is scheduled for March 2028. Following this, the Local Plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and, provided all proceeds smoothly, formally adopted on 16 March 2029.