NORTH Somerset Council has agreed to move forward with the next stage of its Local Plan, setting out where thousands of new homes, jobs and infrastructure could be delivered over the next 15 years.
At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (October 15), councillors approved the publication of an updated version of the Local Plan, which will go out for a six-week public consultation from the end of October through to December 2025.
The plan will guide where development takes place across the district up to 2041, focusing on sustainable growth, low-carbon housing and protecting the local environment.
It also aims to support biodiversity, improve green spaces and ensure new developments meet modern energy efficiency standards.
However, council leaders have voiced frustration at what they describe as "government-imposed housing targets" that are driving "challenging levels of development" across North Somerset.
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, along with around 72 hectares of land for new employment space.
It identifies a range of supporting infrastructure from road and public transport improvements to new schools, medical facilities and green spaces.
Most of the housing growth remains focused in and around Weston-super-Mare, and at Wolvershill, north of Banwell.
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But due to higher housing targets set by government, three new strategic growth areas have been added: Woodspring (southwest of Bristol), Nailsea and Backwell, and Pill and Easton-in-Gordano.
Cllr Waite said the council is determined to ensure that future growth is "balanced and sustainable."
"This plan is about shaping a greener, fairer future for North Somerset," she added. "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 -- and 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 draft plan also reflects changes to national green belt policy, settlement boundaries, affordable housing requirements and transport priorities, including new active travel routes.
Residents, businesses and community groups will be able to comment during the consultation period.
All feedback will be submitted to the planning inspectorate for independent examination in summer 2026, with final adoption expected after the inspector's report.