Local people are being encouraged by Bath and North East Somerset Council to have their say on proposed changes to the Core Strategy which sets out the number of homes to be built up to 2029.
Ten public events will be held where people are welcome to attend to find out more about the changes, submit their comments and get involved in the examination process. All the consultation documents, including a
comment form, are available on the Council's website at: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/core">www.bathnes.gov.uk/core strategy or its offices at
Manvers Street in Bath, The Hollies, Midsomer Norton and Riverside, Keynsham, during opening hours and at all libraries.
The public have from 26th March until 5 p.m. on 8th May to submit their comments to the Council that will then be passed onto the Inspector for his consideration.
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, said: "Everyone at Bath and North East Somerset Council appreciates the strong feelings that local people have about the Core Strategy.
"This is the chance for residents to have their say about the future of their community. We are putting on a wide range of engagement events for people to find out more and submit informed comments to the Council to pass onto the Inspector."
The consultation events will take place on Thursday, 18th April from 10.30 a.m. – 12 noon at Westfield Methodist Church, from 2 p.m. – 3.30 p.m., on the same day at Radstock Methodist Church and from 5.30 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Midsomer Norton Town Hall.
There will also be sessions on Monday, 22nd April from 1.30 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Keynsham Key Centre, Monday, 22nd April, 4.30 p.m. – 7 p.m., at Keynsham Wellsway School and Tuesday, 30th April from 6 – 8 p.m. at Bath's One Stop Shop.
The independent Planning Inspector will now consider a plan for 12,700 new homes between 2011 and 2029 – this compares to 11,500 in the previous version of the Core Strategy. B&NES say the proposals will help to support economic prosperity, provide choice in the homes market to local people and prevent unplanned development. In June/July 2013, the Public Examination is expected to resume.